By Liam Santiago: Legendary boxing trainer, Freddie Roach claims he will insist that any low blows Manny Pacquiao might receive from Miguel Cotto, accidental or not, will result in automatic disqualification. Roach is due to attend a ‘rules meeting’, where he is adamant the rule will be enforced whether Cotto likes it or not. Roach also has some complaints about the choice of referees for the bout.

I hate to break it to Roach, but this is not a tickling contest. Sometimes in the boxing ring, unfortunately, things can get ugly. Automatic disqualification is not a common practice. Are the Pacquiao camp really hoping to steal a victory through DQ? Is that the best they can come up with? The normal reaction to a low blow, from a referee, is to issue a warning. And then another. One of Roberto Duran’s trademark shots was a knee to the crown jewels. Ricky Hatton and Kostya Tyszu traded countless hooks to the groin area in their famous meeting. The reason the referee allowed it to go on was because millions of fans were watching, who wanted to see a good fight.

When Pacquiao meets the Puerto Rican warrior on November 14th, millions of people will be watching. This is the biggest fight of the year. The build up has been staggering, and even slightly drawn out. So, are we really going to see a DQ result. I might not even bother tuning in, considering I have to pay a good whack to watch it. In a massive money fight such as this, you don’t look for a DQ win.

It seems to me that the Pac-Man camp are regretting agreeing to fight Cotto. Firstly, they demand the Puerto Rican puts his title on the line, even though Pacquiao’s weight demands mean Cotto can not weigh in at his usual weight. At that time, Roach said that if Cotto would not put his belt on the line, they ”don’t need this fight”. Now they are looking to claim victory by Cotto being DQ’d for a low blow.

I just hope that if Cotto is winning the fight that the referee doesn’t shockingly DQ him for the slightest of shots that might of been low. It sounds like a great get out plan.