Cotto out to prove who's No. 1

Miguel Cotto---and not Manny Paquiao---is the best fighter in the world pound-for-pound and Cotto will validate this claim on Nov.14.

"I think both guys want to show that they are the best," said Cotto tactician Joe Santiago during a teleconference call held from Tampa, Florida.

"One is called the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and we know we have the best pound-for-pound fighter in the worldin Miguel Cotto and when that night comes and he wins, everyone will know that the Puerto Rico does have the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world," stressed Santiago, a long time Cotto training assistant who will be working for only the second time as chief second.

Santiago has been at the helm of Cotto's training at the fight Factory Gym in Tampa where they have camped out the past four weeks eating, breathing and thinking Pacquiao.

"I think Manny Pacquiao is in for a tough tonight. Cotto showed in the (Joshua) Clottey fight how much it means to him win. I think that desire is a very important thing to have, to win, and Miguel has it."

What makes Santiago and the rest of the Team Cotto beat Pacquiao is the fact that Pacquiao will be facing a "true welterweight" who is still "young" and "in his prime."

Not only that, Cotto's conditioning coach Phil Landman stressed. "(Cotto's going) to fight smarter," said Landman.

Roach sees 1st round KO

Freddie Roach is putting a $1,000 bet on first-round knockout victory by Manny Pacquiao over Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.

Obviously elated with the progress of Pacquiao's preparation almost the past five weeks, Roach said he'd be the least surprised if the scheduled 12-round welterweight title lasts even shorter than the singing of the Philippine national anthem.

"I am betting $1,000(on a first knock out)," said Roach as he was preparing to be brought to a gym in Mandaluyong owned by Pacquiao buddy, ex-world champion Gerry Penalosa.

Before training camp began in Baguio City last month, Roach was wary of issuing bold predictions

opting to sounds safe by telling his interviewers that the fight will go the full route.

But weeks into a training camp, Roach has slowly began to alter his views on the outcome of much awaited brawl that will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, apparently more convinced now that not even the best-conditioned Cotto can score an upset against the Filipino icon.

Alex Ariza, Pacquiao's strength coach, is also singing the same tune.

"Manny's speed going to mess up Cotto. He (Cotto) wouldn't even know what will hit him," said Ariza, covering his head with his two show how Cotto would hands to show how Cotto would react once Pacquiao throws his combinations,"

"If he (Cotto) goes into a shell-like position that he normally does," said Ariza re-enacting the same pose, "he'll get hit a lot." Meanwhile, it's green and go for Team Pacquiao's departure for the US this tomorrow night.

Since Pacquiao will arrive in Los Angeles also on Saturday, the fighter and his team will get the luxury of having a free day before training resumes Monday at the Wild Card.

SOURCE: TEMPO

AUTHOR: NICK GIONGCO

Cotto likes underdog role vs Pacquiao

Being underdog in his Nov. 14 title fight against Manny Pacquiao is not a big deal as far as Miguel Cotto is concerned. For the Puerto Rican and his head trainer Joe Santiago, not installed as the favorite despite him being the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion could even work wonders .

"Miguel is driven by the people saying Pacquiao will beat him" said Santiago. "It's extra motivation and he coming with fire because people saying he can't win.

Three weeks before the highly-talked about much between two of the world's best fighter today, Pacquiao remains a 2-1 favorite to bust up Cotto.

The 28-year old reigning champion was in a similar boat when he met Carlos Quintana in 2006 for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBA) welterweight title.

The fight ended in a technical knockout in favor of Cotto.

"Many people were picking Quintana to win and that really motivated Miguel," recalled Santiago. "The night of the fight, he was focused to prove people wrong that it really gave him a boost in the fight.

We're seeing that again with the way so many people are picking Pacquiao to win on Nov. 14."

Cotto is currently focused on training camp at Tampa, Florida and the way Santiago has seen the 2000 Sydney Olympian worked out, there's no doubt in his mind Pacquiao will be in for a tough, long night.

"Cotto is at his best, and he is out to show that against Manny. It will be very tough night for Pacquiao because winning means so much to Miguel . there is so much desire," said the trainer.

The 12-round bout will be fought at a catch weight of 145 pounds, the first time in years Cotto is going down at his natural weight of 147.

No problem with that, according to Santiago.

"We're on track to make the weight. We've been working hard and all the monitoring shows we are on pace ," Santiago said "We will be at 145 before the fight,"

Meanwhile underscoring Pacquiao's role as the favorite over Cotto, two former world champions boldly p[redict a victory for nthe world's top pound-for-pound fighter.

Four-time heavyweight king Evander Holyfield and light heavyweight titlist Glenn Johnson are both going for Pacquiao when he attempts a seventh world title in seven different weight classes.

"Miguel Cotto gets hit too much," admitted Holyfield, who recently appeared with heavyweight rival ormer undisputed heavyweight king Mike Tyson in the OPrah Winfrey Show.

"Pacquiao holds his hands up, he bounces in, he bounces out. Pacquiao throws fast punches, and Cotto has shown that if he does not have an answer for someone , he dies out."

Johnson holds exactly the same view of Pacquiao win.

"I believe Pacquiao will come out the winner. Manny is fast, he learns on defense on the way, and he has good reflexes. He is a precise puncher that is a force to reckon with," Johnson said.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S TONIGHT

AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

Pacquiao works out at Rizal oval

Save for the heat generated by the morning sun, it was business as usual yesterday for Manny Pacquiao, who showed up all pumped up for training at the Rizal Memorial Sporst Complex (RMSC) after abandoning his camp in Baguio City.

"Medyo mainit" Pacquiao told a couple of scribes after a 20-minute run around the track oval, less than four weeks before he shoots for Miguel Cotto's World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in the Las Vegas.

Running alongside Pacquiao were rising bantam Rodolfo Sumabong, who is being eyed to appear in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Cotto headliner, and his pet Pacman, a Jack Russel thats regularly join him in his roadworks in Los Angeles.

It wasn't really blazing hot even though Pacquiao arrived just before 8a.m. since the sun rays were

being blocked by thick clouds and warned of rain

Still, for somebody who has gotten used to the icy winds of Nevada and Southern California and the cool air of Baguio, Pacquiao just couldn't help but complain of the heat.

"Siguro nsanay lng kasi ako sa America mag-ensayo kya ganito tapos galing pa ako ng Baguio," said Pacquiao. But despite the amount of sweat that trickled down his toned body, Pacquiao still managed to bring a smile on his conditioning coach.

SOURCE: TEMPO

AUTHOR: NICK GIONGCO

Pacquiao has new sparmate

A major switch in the sparring session is underway for

Manny Pacquiao with the arrival yesterday in Baguio City of battlescarred Mexican Jose Luis Castillo.

"I will drop Urbano Antillon and replace him with Castillo," top trainer Freddie Roach said from the City of Pines where Pacquiao has been training since Sept.21 for the huge fights with Miguel Cotto on Nov.14 in Las Vegas.

Antillon, a super-lightweight, has been giving Pacquiao quality time the past two weeks alongside unbeaten super-welter Shawn Porter.

The 35-year-old Castillo, the former World Boxing Council lightweight champion known for his aggressive nature and toughness, has never sparred with Pacquiao before and is looking forward to working with the world's pound-for-pound king.

Castillo will get his baptism of fire tomorrow when Roach orders another sparring session at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel, the residence of the Filipino fighter until Oct.24.

Castillo actually arrived in the country early Saturday morning on board Philippines Airlines from Los Angeles although his journey actually began in his hometown of Hermosillo in Mexico.

Yesterday, a private plane owned by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson flew Castillo and another boxer, American superlight-weight Danny Escobar, to Baguio on board a private plane.

All roads leading to Baguio-- the Marcos Highway, Kennon Road and Naguillan Road-- have been closed due to landslides brought about by the storm so Singson extended his hand so Castillo and Escobar can be brought there.

Castillo is being touted to give Pacquiao a hard time in sparring and Roach warns that if the veteran puncher doesn't live up to expectations, he will immediately send him back.

"But I was assured that he is fit and ready," said Roach "But he better be (ready).

With two weeks remaining before Team Pacquiao uproot it's training camp for the for the familiar confines of the Wild Card in Hollywood, Roach said everything seems to be in place as far as the conditioning and progress of Pacquiao is concerned.

SOURCE: TEMPO

AUTHOR: NICK GIONCO

Pacquiao to complete 150 rounds of sparring

Manny Pacquiao will answer the opening bell for the Nov.14 clash with Miguel Cotto armed with 150 rounds of tough sparring.

Top trainer Freddie Roach said yesterday from the Shape Up Gym in Baguio City that they will stick with the tried and tested training program devised by him and conditioning coach Alex Ariza in the buildup to the Cotto fight set at the MGM Grand.

"Manny's going to spar 150 rounds to get himself prepared for Cotto," said Roach, who has been using young and unbeaten super-welterweight Shawn Porter and super-lightweight Urbano Antillon the past four sparring days and is likewise eagerly awaiting the arrival of former lightweight king Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico.

Roach said the 25-year-old Castillo is flying in this morning from Los Angeles and should be ready to spar on Saturday. Castillo now fighting as a welterweight, is coming off a knockout win last Sept.12 and is said to be on a rebound to get back into world title contention.

Pacquiao confidant Mike Koncz, who personally picked Castillo will give Pacquiao quality time on top of the ring.

"I was given the assurance that castillo is in shape," said Koncz.

Roach warns that if Castillo ends up resembling like a tourist frolicking at Burnham Park and winds up getting busted up, he will shove him back to Manila so he could get the first flight out.

Roach stressed that while some people tend to believe that Cotto is going to be easy pickings for Pacquiao, the 49-year-old former featherweight contender wouldn't acknowledge that.

Roach is wary of wary of what Cotto could bring to the ring that he is not taking any chances.

"Same as before. We won't cut back on anything back on anything," said Roach, who will camp out in the City of Pines with Ariza and Filipino assistant Buboy Fernandez, Nonoy Neri and two-time world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa before leaving the US on Oct.24.

Roach said he expects the 30-year-old Pacquiao to be in 80 percent condition by the time they begin the first walkout at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood on Oct.26.

So far, Pacquiao has logged a total of 18 rounds of sparring after going three each with Poter and Antillon last Tuesday.

Porter, whose style is similar to that of Cotto but is much faster, usually starts the sparring session and is Pacquiao's main sparmate.

SOURCE: TEMPO

AUTHOR: NICK GIONGCO

Beristain says: 'MANNY IN 5 OR 6'

After boldly declaring Manny Pacquiao will win over Miguel Cotto in their November 14 title fight, highly respected trainer Nacho Beristain is going a notch higher in this prediction.

Arguably the best boxing trainer ever produced by Mexico, Beristain said the Filipino is going to win by knockout and wrest the World Boxing Organization(WBO) welterweight belt currently being held by the champion from Caguas, Puerto, Rico.

"I believe Pacquiao should put him on the canvas in five or six rounds," said the veteran trainer.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach initially sees a dominant win by the Filipino ring icon on points, but after seeing his ward improve by the day in his training camp in Baguio, the Hall of Famer now also share the view of Beristain, although with a slight twist.

"We'll gonna this guy off in the later rounds," he said shortly after Pacquiao's workout last week at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel.

The pound-for-pound king resumed sparring Tuesday, going three rounds each junior middleweight Shawn Porter and lightweight Urbano Antillon.

A third sparmate in Jose Luis Castillo, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion from Mexico failed to show up yesterday in the City of Pines.

But Pacquiao adviser Michael Konz assured that Castillo would be coming to the country by Thursday and is ready to spar on Saturday.

Roach, however wants to see first how fit the 35-year-old Castillo is, after last climbing the ring a month ago with a second round technical knockout of Carlos Urias. "I wont' hesitate to send him back if he's not in shape," said Roach of Castillo, who has a known history of weight problem in his 19-year pro career.

Beristain didn't have the opportunity to train Castillo in the past, but two famous boxers he previously handled in Juan Manuel Marquez and legendary Oscar De La Hoya, both tasted defeated at the hands of the Pacman.

He sees Cotto following the same path, pointing out Pacquiao's speed will be too much to handle the way Marquez and De La Hoya learned the hard way. the Mexican trainer pointed out Cotto has not been the same since suffering an 11th round technical knockout againts Antonio Margarito.

And that was very obvious when he struggled to churn out a split decision win over Joshua Clottey, in his last fight June of this year at the Madison Square Garden.

In the fight against Clottey, you could see some of the aftermath of what happen to Margarito said Berstain. "Clottey is not a top-level fighter, but nevertheless, in some moments, Cotto was put in predicaments and the punches were affecting him." The deterioration in his skills, according to Berstain, could also be traced to Cotto's decision to dump former trainer and uncle

Evangelista Cotto following a physical altercation while the Puerto Rican was in training camp for the Clottey fight.

Joe Santiago, his former nutritionist, has since the taken the task as Cotto's trainer.

"Before he (Cotto) was a fighter with a good technique, fast and well cared for, but he doesn't seem like himself now. He changed his coach, changed some of his habits and now catches more punches," Beristain said."

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL

AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

'Nacho' picks Pacman

Ignacio 'Nacho' Beristain, regarded as the top boxing trainer from Mexico doesn't see Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico winning over Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino seeks his historic place in the sport on Nov.14 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Beristain, one of Oscar De La Hoya's workout coaches and tacticians when the popular boxer quit while sitting on his stool in his bout against Pacquiao, considers the pound-for-pound king as simply too fast and too powerful for Cotto to beat .

In a recent interview with ESPN's Spanish TV program 'Golpe a Golpe,' Beristain said Pacquiao has already evolved into a complete and impenetrable fighter with the speed and power that's hard to match.

"his left hand is like a missile, like a rocket," said Beristain, also the long-time trainer of Juan Manuel Marquez, the boxer who gave Pacquiao hell in the two fights they had. "It(left hand) has tremendous speed and his power is tremendous.

"I think Pacquiao will win this fight.

A Hall of Famer himself like Freddie Roach, Beristain has witnessed how Pacquiao grew as a boxer. Pacquiao started in the sport as a mere 106-pounder, bombarded his way up one division after another and now will be aiming to be the first fighter ever to win titles in seven weight classes.

Unlike before when the General Santos pride was fighting in the featherweight divisions, Pacquiao has now developed into a technical boxer with speed and power to match, according to Beristain. He said cotto will be a lot of trouble, even though the Puerto Rican has been very busy with his rigorous training.

"The key to the fight is not only Pacquiao's but is also the fact that he has been better with his technique," said Beristain. "He is a technical fighter now with speed and power, and that Pacquiao is very difficult to beat.

"If it was difficult before, imagine now, Cotto will be in world of trouble when he steps in the ring with Manny. Besides that, I don't think he (Cotto) has recovered from the beating (Antonio) Margarito gave him."

Cotto was once described by Roach as the better fighter than Pacquiao. Roach made that statement before the Filipino embarrassed De La Hoya, and before Cotto suffered his only defeat in his career- an 11th round technical knockout against Margarito in 2008 where the Puerto Rican's ended up swollen.

In Cotto's previous title defense against Joshua Clottey , he barely won the match and escaped with a split decisions victory.

Beristain has nice words for Pacquiao's famed trainer. He said Pacquiao wouldn't be the man he is now without Roach, who was moulded him into one of the finest boxers the world has ever seen .

"I think Pacquiao is lucky to have him (Roach) in his corner. Freddie Roach is one of the best trainers in the world and he has made Pacquiao a better fighter who used to have a lot of flawsin his style. Pacquiao who used to jump when throwing punches and now he is doing great from a technical point of view and that is Freddie's work" said Beristain.

Pacquiao who is set to enter to enter the punishing stage of his training for the fight dubbed 'Fire power' at the MGM Grand Arena, will receive a whopping guaranteed prize of $13 million, his biggest pay ever.

His total earnings could end up near the $20-million mark counting the share he will be receive in pay- per- view hits.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL

AUTHOR: ZEAN MACAMAY

SPARMATE AMAZED

He's not biased, but having felt the power of the world's top pound-for-pound fighter, ShawnPorter has no doubt in mind that Manny Pacquiao will triumph over Miguel Cotto in their November 14 title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"definitely, he's the best in the world today," said the young, stocky, and promising junior middleweight from Akron,Ohio, who serves as the main sparmate of the boxing champion in his Baguio training camp.

"He's gonna shock the world again." he said of Pacquiao, who previously stunned the boxing community with remarkable victories over the like of Marco Antonio Barerra , Lehlo Ledwaba, Erik Morales and the legendary Oscar De la Hoya.

Unbeaten in 10 fights (with eight KO's). Porter had been dominant in his first five rounds of sparring with Pacquiao until Saturday when Filipino ring icon, slowly getting back in fight shape, finally got the better end of his solid exchanges with the former U.S. Olympic team alternate in three punishing rounds.

The spirited effort certainly satisfied American trainer Freddie Roach, who rated Pacquiao's present condition to be within the 40 percent range.

But he expects the 30-year-old Filipino to get much, much better as the fight approaches.

Porter readily agreed.

"He's boxing better each passing day." said Porter 21. "Is he (Pacquiao) strong? Yeah, definitely."

Barring any last minute hitch, former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo is set to join Porter and Urbano Antillon as Pacquiao sparmates in his training camp at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel.

Castillo (60-9-1, with 52 KOs) fought memorable wars with the late Diego Corrales, Joel Casamayor,Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao is already priming himself for the coming tough three weeks of training at the famed mountain hideaway, arriving in Baguio City near midnight of Sunday after spending the rest of the day in Manila distributing relief goods to victim of Tropical storm "Ondoy".

He was back at the gym Monday, spending 15 draining rounds of sparring at the mitts with Roach and at least half an hour of isometrics with conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Sparring resumes today with Pacquiao expected to go six rounds.

Meanwhile, the boxing champion donated check of P1 million to the Kapuso Foundation as part of his contribution to help all those affected by the recent calamity in the country.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL

AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

MORE WORK AHEAD

MORE WORK AHEAD

BAGUIO CITY- The one day break in training augurs well for Manny Pacquiao.

Freddie Roach guaranteed that a blistering work out awaits the boxing champion when he reports Monday for training camp -now on it's third week-- at the Shape -Up boxing gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel here. "It's going to be more rounds of sparring and lot's of hard work,"

said Roach. when ask about what's in store for the Filipino ring idol for the entire week. Pacquiao braved the strong winds and heavy rains brought by super-typhoon Pepeng Saturday night to be in manila to personally distributes relief efforts to victims of tropical storm Ondoy and celebrate the third birthday of daughter Mary Grace Divine Princess. He was return back here late Sunday night.

Pacquiao already sparred a total of 12 gruelling rounds in three days with sparmates Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon. He went five rounds Saturday and then did intense isometric workouts prepared by conditioning coach Alex Ariza before heading home to Manila. No workout was scheduled yesterday, Sunday being a rest day.

That should be enough to get the Pacman ready when sparring resumes tomorrow tom the expected arrival of former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo.

The Mexican warrior best remembered for his memorable, classic title fight with the late
Diego Corrales in 2005, has been tapped by Roach to be Pacquiao's third sparmate in camp as he pressures for his Nov.14 showdown with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

Castillo is coming as a last minute replacement after a negotiations to bring in unbeaten welterweight prospect Henry Omar bogged down.

Roach is keeping his fingers crossed that Castillo would be in tip-top shape."Or else I wouldn't hesitate to ship him back home,' the three-time Trainer of the Year said on a cool, lazy Sunday morning at his cozy room inside the Manor House Hotel.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL

AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

Castillo

Pacquiao pummels sparring rival

BAGUIO CITY- The real Manny Pacquiao showed up in sparring at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel here Saturday.

Loose, relaxed and focused Pacquiao highlighted the closed door sparring sessions held on a cool, stormy Saturday by repeatedly pounding the bigger Shawn Porter in three rounds of heavy punching..

From right hook to his dreaded left left cross, Pacquiao was connecting on just about every angle, leaving Porter a little bit battered for the first time since sparring in his camp began last Tuesday.

Asked about it when he was finally doing some shadow boxing Pacquiao answered with a wide grin

"Relax lang kasi kayo,"he said huffing and puffing on top of the ring." "Masyado kc kayo nagpapanic."

In the five previous rounds he had with the 21-year old junior middleweight, Pacquiao was mostly on the receiving end, getting hit by solid rights and a couple of left jabs by the stocky boxer from Akron, Ohio.

Not yesterday.

Although Pacquiao also got tagged by a powerful right in general, the Filipino ring icon was in control of the action, often eluding many of Porter's crisp punches that previously found their target.

The performance got more than just a passing mark from trainer Freddie Roach.

"He was more focused today." said Roach, who just the other denounced his famous ward for having too many activities outside of training camp.

"There's no more distraction and i like what he showed in our training today. He'll get better as time goes on."

Pacquiao also sparred for two rounds with Urbano Antillon to 10 the total number of sparring he had with the two Americans.

"Are you alright Shawn"? Antillon asked the former National Golden Gloves champion as Porter sat on a stoll and appeared sluggish.

Boxing fans including the RP women's team based here led by former Asian gold medalist Michelle Martinez, were allowed to get inside the gym when the five -round sparring was over, getting a glimpse of Pacquiao doing his routine at a double end, speedball and the skipping ropes.

As he shadow boxed, Pacquiao gamely joked with the crowd from all walks of life, including children.

Then turning his focus on a group Manila-based sports writer intently watching his moves he told them, "ito ang susi ng panalo," letting out a past 1-2-3 combination before quickly moving out to another direction.

Roach acceded that's the best way to beat the 28-year old Cotto on Nov.14 when the Puerto Ricans stakes his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

"The more important thing is the 1-2-3 combinations and then get out of the way," Roach said, believing the volume of punches and Pacquiao's stretching routine an exercise that improves balancing and incorporates every muscles in his body.

At the same point, Pacquiao grimaces in pain and was short on complaining about it to Ariza, who kept on stressing , "that's just start of it. We're still going to do it for six more years.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S TONIGHT

AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

Pacquiao leaves PMAers puffing

BAGUIO CITY- Manny Pacquiao showed up a bit late for his afternoon training on Friday but it wasn't a real concern for trainer Freddie Roach, who was all smiles when asked about the sudden change in schedule.
"Manny outran all the cadets this morning," said Roach, grinning, when he arrived at the Shape Up Gym at 12 noon, site of Pacquiao's preparation for the Nov.14 duel with Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao did his morning roadwork at the Philippine Military Academy(PMA) after making
the rounds of the Burnham Park the past ten days.
Buboy Fernandez a childhood friend of the 30-year-old Pacquiao and long time assistant of Roach, said the cadets stayed with Pacquiao early in the run but they all lost steam after the pound-for-pound king went into high gear.
Roach didn't mind the slight alteration in the training schedule but conditioning coach Alex Ariza was not since the extende run is naot a part of their normal routine.
Still, Roach was happy that Pacquiao showed a lot of energy in besting PMAers, a clear sign that his fighter is enjoying the hard work.
The workout on Friday was held behind closed doors, a far cry from the madness that took place inside the gym the previous day when, not only the media, but fans were also allowed to gain access so thay could not only pose for pictures with Pacquiao but with members of team such as sparmates Shawn Porter and his Dad Ken and Urbano Antillon and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.
Pacquiao will spar with Porter and Antillon again on Saturday.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, will spend another three weeks here until he leaves for the US on Oct.24, which is Saturday. Roach said Pacquiao will resume training at the Wild Card in Hollywood on Oct.26, a Monday.


SOURCE: TEMPO
AUTHOR: NICK GIONGCO

Penalosa joins Pacman promotion

BAGUIO CITY- Two time National open champion Dodie Boy Penalosa, son of the legendary former world light-weight and fly king Dodie Boy Sr., has reached an agreement to fight under the promotional banner of Manny Pacquiao.
This was disclosed on Friday by the fighter's multititled father Dodie Sr.., who is here t lend a hand in the preparation being made by Pacquiao against Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao has instructed the Penalosas to prepare the 19-year-old Dodie Boy for his professional debut sometime in January 2010. Pacquiao himself assured them that he will be the one to stage the card.
Dodie Boy Jr, had originally been penciled by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines(ABAP) to become a part of its rebuilding program when a new set of leaders were brought in early this year.
The ABAP even went to the extent of preventing the fighter from turning pro, assuring the young boxer that he will be given a spot on a team that is being prepared for future international tournaments.
But the senior Penalosa revealed that deal lasted for just a few months after a few promises were supposedly broken by ABAP officials.


SOURCE: TEMPO
AUTHOR: NICK GIONGCO

Manny impresses sparmate

BAGUIO City- Trainer Freddie Roach admitted Manny Pacquiao has yet to get his rhythm back with his 12-round title fight againts Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto a little more than a month away.
No need to worry though.
Roach expects the champ to get better and better as training at the Shape-Up gym here builds up leading to the Nov.14 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Nevada.
The three-time Hall of Fame trainer assessed Pacquiao's current condition to be within the 40 percent range.
"Where he is now? I'd say 40 percent," Roach said in reply to one of several concerns members of the press raised during the jampacked open-day workout Pacquiao held thursday for both the media and fans.
"Yeah, it's been great, but his performance today wasn't what gonna beat Cotto. We have to get a lot better obviously," added Roach.
Yestersday workout marked the second day of sparring sessin in the two-week long training camp, with Pacquiao going two rounds each againts 2007 Golden Gloves champion Shawn Porter and Urbano antillon.
The same way during the opening day of sparring, the 21-year-old Porter, an unbeaten junior middleweight contender (10-0), gave the Pacman a hell of a time, often snapping back Pacquiao's head with his constant jabbing and solid rights.
But Pacquiao also had his moment againts the unbeaten boxing prospect, an alternate in the U.S. olympic team in the 2008 Beijing Games, dazzling those at ringside with his blinding speed and quick combinations.
"Is he (Pacquiao) strong? Yeah, definitely," said Porter after the sparring (three rounds), and I expect him to get even better,"
As training camp enters its third week, one more sparmate will be coming over in this mountain hideaway to help Pacquiao get in shape for his World Boxing Organization(WBO) welterweight championship fight with Cotto.
Alex Ariza, the conditioning coach of the top pound-for-pound fighter of the world, bared that undefeated welterweight Omar Henry has already been offered as possible Pacquiao sparmate, with the camp of the Filipino ring superstar only awaiting confirmation ffrom the manager of the young boxer from Australia, Texas.
"He (Henry) looks exactly like Cotto, moves like Cotto, fights like Cotto and wants to be like Cotto," said Ariza of Henry, who sports a 14-0 ring record. After sparring with Porter and Antillon, Pacquiao did the mitts with Roach, worked with the speedball, shadowboxed, before capping the day doing some stretching with the help of assistants Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.
No road work was held in the morning as Roach let Pacquiao take a rest after playing 10 games of basketball the night before, causing him to show up at the end afternoon workout wearing a protective gear on his right leg.
Roach said training camp in this City of Pines will last for three more weeks, before Team Pacquiao leaves for the U.S. and shift camp at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles for the final two weeks. And just how confident he is at Pacquiao readily regaining back the form that sent the great DeLa Hoya inot retirement and knocked out cold former junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, Roach again reiterated a possible knockout win for the Pacman.
" I think we're gonna knockhim out in the early rounds," he said.



SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL
AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

Think of Cotto first--- Arum

Baguio City- top Rank big boss Bob Arum would rather not delve first on what boxing fans had been clamoring all along- a super fight between Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The veteran boxing promoter responsible for putting together some of the most memorable fighting, stressed that Pacquiao should win his coming title bout first againts World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king miguel Cotto to before anyone else start thinking about arranging the ring duel many consider could be the richest boxing fight ever.
"We have to treat it one fight at a time," said Arum, who flew in from Las Vegas all the way here to personally attend the open-day workout Manny Pacquiao did for members of the media in his training camp.
"No, no, no," arum repeatedly said as he was asked a number of times about Pacquiao taking on the 32-year-old Mayweather on his next fight.
Mayweather came out of retirement recently and dominated Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez in their non-title welterweight fight in Las Vegas, a win that all more bolster a future showdown with the Pacman, now regarded the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world following the retirement of Mayweather.
But Arum stressed he's not thinking of any fight for Pacquiao at the moment other than his nov.14 duel with Cotto.
"I believe this could be one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing,' said Arum, who didn't hesitate to say thata return bout may be made in the event the match turns out tobe a success.
'Who knows, there might be a rematch," he pointed out.



SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL
AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

MANNY DOESN'T NEED MAYWEATHER, SAYS EXPERT

MANNY DOESN'T NEED MAYWEATHER, SAYS EXPERT

Everyone may be looking forward to a Manny Pacquiao- Floyd Mayweather,Jr megabuck showdown next year, but the most anticipated fight ever to come by in years may not be held at all.
The reason? The world's No.1 pound-for-pound king doesn't need Mayweather, and Pacquiao, assuming that he gets past Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14, doesn't need to prove anything anymore.
This was the assessment of boxing writer Matt Stolow, who arrived at a conclusion that Mayweather will be 'too big' for the six-division champion Pacquiao, an advantage the lure of money cannot even compensate.
"Sure, Manny could pull down $20 million that night, but it is worth it to give Mayweather such a ridiculous competitive advantage and possibly lose your last fight that way?" asked Stlow who writes for examiner.com.
Mayweather won his return bout againts Juan Manuel Marquez last Sept. 20 after a 21-month hiatus, knocking down the Mexican in the second round before toying with him the rest of the way for a unanimous decision victory.
The fighter many call 'Pretty Boy Floyd' who always loves to flaunt his earning weighed in two pounds over the 144-pound limit, and was four pounds heavier than Marquez, who weighed in at 142. He paid Marquez $ 300,000 for every pound that went over the limit.
Stolow also is convinced that the natural fighting weight of Mayweather will spell the big difference.
"At about 21, Pacquiao was fighting at between 155 and 122 Juan Manuel Marquez was between 122 and 124. Floyd Mayweather Jr. was already in world title fights at 130 at age 21. The natural weight difference obscure the skill levels at this point. It's not a fair fight," he said.
"So do the math. I'm not saying Mayweather is better than Pacquiao. I'm saying what I'm saying. He's too big."
The other day, Pacquiao's famed trainer, Freddie Roach, said that he would love Pacquiao to end his career with victories over Cotto and Mayweather.
Roach however, quickly pointed out that if ever both camps of Pacquiao and Mayweather do not reach an agreement during nogotiations, it would be best for the Filipino ring legend to walk away from the sport with his head still held high.
"If he retires after this(Cotto) fight I'll be fine with that also," Roach said. "If negotiations with Mayweather fail and Manny wins againts Cotto, he'll be having seven world titles. Nobody has done that before, so there's nothing else to prove." "I would love to see him retire on top of the world."


SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL
AUTHOR: ZEAN MACAMAY

ARUM COMING TODAY

Top rank head Bob Arum heads to Baguio City today to check on Manny Pacquiao's training camp as the Filipino ring icon prepares for a November 14 encounter with Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto.
The promoter responsible for the epic 'Thrilla in Manila' duel and other big fights considered among the biggest in the history of prizefighting, is arriving from the U.S. early Thursday morning, and will immediately proceed to the City of Pines in time for the scheduled media day in Pacquiao's training camp.
Arum's arrival also comes in time for Pacquiao's open workout at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Plaza Hotel.
The boxing champion is scheduled to spar for the second time in three days against Americans Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon.
Unlike in his first sparring session, Pacquiao goes a round notch higher this time as he takes on Porter and Antillon for two rounds each.
The 21-year old Porter, a natural junior middleweight, sparred for three intense rounds with the Pacman on Tuesday, trading hard shots to the body againts the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world today.
The native of Akron, Ohio is definitely looking forward to doing it again opposite the Filipino ring idol, whose speed more than power has make a great impression on him.
"It's his speed," said Porter. "It's not much about power."
Arum will be staying in the summer hideaway until Sunday, by which time Pacquiao is expected to take a breakl from training to personally distribute relief goods to victims of typhoon Ondoy.
Pacquiao through his MP Foundation, earlier donated P1 million to those badly hit by the calamity.


SOURCE: PEOPLE JOURNAL
AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS