READY TO RUMBLE: Boxing champ Pacquiao uses ring to get message across

LAS VEGAS, Nevada-- Manny Pacquiao has made no secret of his political ambitions outside the ring but dabling in government isn't the same as taking it on as a full time career, saya trainer Freddie Roach.

Roach said Pacquiao may run for office in his native for Philippines, but after the fighter gets a taste of political life Roach expect him to eventually return to his boxing roots.

"I would love to see him go out on top," Roach said. "The thing is he can fight for a long time, because his work ethic is s great,"

"Once he gets into politics and finds out how corrupt it is, he will come back to boxing. He can do more as a boxer than a politician for his countrymen. Although he's proven me wrong before." Pacquiao faces Miguel Cotto in a World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight Saturday at the MGM Grand hotel and casino.

The first fight of the round will be dangerous for both fighters and Roach said their plan is to hit Cotto with some big shots from the opening bell.

"I don't have to tell him the game plan anymore,"Roach said.

It is automatic now. I makes move in training like Cotto makes in the fight. It is like a dance. He knows exactly what to do in those situations.

Roach says they can shake Cotto confidence by hitting him early. "We are going to start quick anyway."

"We are going to show are power in the first round and hit him to remind him of the punches he took in the (Antonio) Margarito fight.

"We are not going to go in and start swinging at him we are going to do it smart. We will walk Cotto into the fight because he follows, and when he follows we will take advantage of that."

Roach said if the smaller Pacquiao doesn't have the power to knock Cotto out then he can wear him down with his superior hand speed and lighting quick feet.

" I honestly don't think we are going to knock him out,"

"Manny's foot movement and speed is too much for Cotto. That's where the fight is won in foot speed and that is where Manny excels."

After watching hours of tape of Cotto in his most recent fights, Roach predicts he will do one of two things.

"He is going to use his strength and come forward and show us he is a bigger, stronger guy or he is going to try to become a counter puncher. But you can't become someone elsei n an eight-week period. We have a perfect game plan, I think."

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S TONIGHT

AUTHOR : GREG HEAKES