Cotto could ' do a Floyd' Trainer Roach not worried: 'We have the best fighter'

Manny Pacquiao cast an imposing shadow during the bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. And it seems that the undefeated American is starting to do the same at the Pacquiao training camp. Even with Miguel Cotto looming in the ever-shringking horizon, Mayweather's name was all over the Pines City, with Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach predicting even expecting that the Puerto Rican reigning WBO welterweight champion will "do a Floyd Mayweather" againts Pacquiao.

"I'm prepared for that possibility," Roach said yesterday, referring to Cotto coming in heavier that the catch weight of 145 pounds for his match againts Pacquiao on November 14(Nov. 15 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"I'm not worried he added " One or 2lb heavier, we are not worried. We have the best fighter here ."
Pacquiao (49-3-2,37 knockouts) will battle Cotto (34-1, 27KOs) for the Puerto Ricans crown. Mayweather destroyed Marquez in 12 rounds in their recent match after coming in 2 lb heavier than the catch weight of 144 lb.
If Pacquiao survives Cotto, the Filipino ring icon and Mayweather Jr. will face a massive clamor for them to faceoff, and Roach believes the Pacman has what it takes to defeat the American.
"Mayweather's not the bravest guy in the world, so you got to take chances," said Roach. "He's hot a difficult style. But with enough punching power and pressure, I think my fighter can get him."
But the problem, Roach said, is making the fight happen. "It's what the world wants to see," said Roach. "But the thing is, can you get him to sign the contract? It's going to be difficult because he thinks he's going to get equal money with us, he's crazy. He need us, we don't need him.
Roach based his assesment of Mayweather's marketability on the American's 12-round decision wins againts marquez.
"Let's face it, the guy that puts asses on the seats in Manny Pacquiao," said the trainer. "Mayweather doesn't draw. Againts Marquez the vunue was 80 percent Mexican."
"The fight was there for the taking but he just couldn't finish Maaquez because he didn't have the balls to finish him off. The only way that he could have benefited in fighting Marquez was by knocking him out and doing something Manny could'nt do. He's a great boxer and I can't take that away from him. but he's not exciting. He doesn't make me jump off my seat."



SOURCE: Philippine Daily Inquirer
AUTHOR: Frank Cimatu, Inquirer Northern Luzon
Dennis Principe, Contributor