Cotto – Committed, Focused, Determined

By Boxing News - 08/27/2009 - Comments

cotto34232414328By Will Cruz: They call him “Fearless” for a reason. Recent reports from Cotto’s training camp in Puerto Rico indicate that he is more focused, determined than ever before. If that isn’t alarming enough for the Pacquiao camp, it should be. Pacquiao is considered the top P4P fighter in the world at the moment.

The man brings an unmatched combination of speed and power. We know what that can do, just ask Ricky Hatton. This is in no way a knock on Manny, as I have much respect for him and what he has accomplished in his great career. However, on November 14, I don’t believe he will have answers for what Miguel Cotto will bring.

The intangibles are what keep coming to mind when I think about this fight. Sure Pacquiao will be faster, sure his footwork will be better, sure his quick in and out style will give Cotto fits. But when the punches start flying and they both begin to land, there is one thing we can’t measure that will give Cotto the edge.

His heart and determination. Pacquiao is also a courage’s fighter with a strong will to win. But all the signs point to the absolute best we have ever seen from Cotto.

When asked about Pacquiao, Cotto with the serious look on his face he looked the interviewer straight in the eye and said, “I’ve seen Manny’s weaknesses. They are obvious to me, I’m not impressed, and he better train as hard as ever for this fight, because I will.” Cotto’s conditioning coach the amazing South African Phil Landman, arrived in Puerto Rico a few days ago to find to his surprise, a Miguel Cotto who was already ahead of schedule in his training.

Cotto took it upon himself to begin running and doing some light gym work weeks before they would even begin their scheduled training regimen. Landman himself said he has never seen Miguel this focused and committed in his entire career. Another thing to consider is that most people don’t understand that Cotto actually had more distractions in his corner when his uncle Evangelist Cotto was his trainer, than now even during a law suit from his uncle.

The reason? Cotto no longer has to deal with his uncle and his stubborn ways, instead it’s up to the lawyers to handle that situation; a situation that in fact looks to favor Cotto anyways. People also question Miguel’s new trainer Joe Santiago and his ability to develop a game plan that will work for Cotto. Cotto will be the first to say that he is as confident as ever with his team and the individuals in his corner.

All this put together leads to a Cotto that will refuse to lose come November even if he is eating punches in the early round, even if he gets caught and goes down. Rest assured, he will get up and as he has done many times, he will find a way to win.

Many Pacquiao fans will read this article and called me bias, but I’ve given Pacquiao his credit. But in fights like this one, unless we have a draw, one man will win. When I look at the styles, and what these two guys bring, I have to give my honest opinion. It is hard to root against either of these guys, they are truly two of the few warriors willing to face anyone out there today.

At the end of the night both will have given all of us fans a great performance and will leave us feeling like our $50 were well spent. But when the fight is over I see Miguel Cotto’s arm raised high. Then the debate will begin on who is truly the best P4P fighter in the world.



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