Roach to Try to Keep Pacquiao from Taking Punishment from Cotto

By Boxing News - 08/12/2009 - Comments

pac4593540By Manuel Perez: Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach gave a hint about the strategy that they will be using against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto when Roach said that he’s “Training Manny to not get hit,” in an interview at Doghouse boxing yesterday. So, it seems that Pacquiao will be using a bit of the old in and out fighting strategy against Cotto on November 14th.

I figured as much, because Pacquiao might have problems with his lack of size to stand in front of the powerful Cotto for 12 rounds without breaking apart under the strain. I’m disappointed in Roach. I thought he was going to be coming up with a new strategy specifically for Cotto. But, this looks like the same old recycled plan that was used in Pacquiao’s fights against David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao is on cruise control with that one strategy. It’s when Pacquiao comes forward leading with his right hook that Cotto will greet him with a straight right hand down the middle. All Cotto has to do is block the right hook with his left hand each time and drill him with the fight. Pacquiao is right hook happy now and seems to be overusing in his past few fights.

He got away with it because he was fighting an energy drained Oscar De La Hoya and an unprepared Ricky Hatton. Cotto, however, will be ready. He’ll see what I’ve seen and realize that all he has to do is block Pacquiao’s right hook and drill him each time Manny comes rushing forward. Pacquiao hasn’t had to deal with a fighter that uses a jab very often in his past few fights.

Diaz and Hatton were mostly looking to land big power shots and De La Hoya was too weak after the 1st round to put up a fight. Cotto, although clearly weakened due to the 145 pound catch weight, will be jabbing Pacquiao repeatedly and waiting for Pacquiao to throw his right hook.

Pacquiao’s left hand is easy to predict because he telegraphs by moving forward as he’s getting ready to throw it. Cotto will block the shots to and fire back with right hands. Roach better try and teach Pacquiao to keep his eyes open when he punches because he’s going to get hurt if he tries that against Cotto. Roach may try to teach Pacquiao not to get hit.

Pacquiao tends runs forward when he attacks and like I said, his use of his right hook as his lead punch is a given nowadays. Roach teaches Pacquiao that one punch and he uses it a lot nowadays in his fights.

It works against fighters with no defense like Hatton, but he had problems landing it against Juan Manuel Marquez.



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