By Mark Vester

According to Jose Luis Castillo, Filipino warrior Manny Pacquiao is faster than Floyd Mayweather Jr. Castillo gave Mayweather two of the hardest fights in his career. There are many who think Castillo may have won the first encounter. Castillo was recruited as a sparring partner for Pacquiao's training camp in Baguio City. The Mexican fighter's body punching style was used to prepare Pacquiao for the November 14 bout with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach told doghouseboxing.com that Castillo informed him that Manny is a faster fighter than Mayweather. It's interesting because Castillo and Mayweather fought at 135-pounds. That would mean Pacquiao is a faster at 147 than Mayweather was at 135. Pacquiao vs Mayweather is the biggest fight in boxing and there is a heavy debate on which of the two fighters is actually faster. Castillo also told him that Pacquiao is a much harder puncher.

"I will tell you this, Jose Luis Castillo who fought Mayweather twice, told me that Manny is much faster and hits way harder. That was after just sparring with Manny for a couple of days," Roach said.

Roach does not buy the "size matters" logic when it comes to certain people picking Cotto to beat his fighter. He doesn't think size will play a role in the contest.

"They are a half inch apart [in height]. When you look at the pictures of them together, they look very similar in height and weight. But the thing is, Oscar was too big, Hatton was too strong, I’ve heard all those excuses before. Strength and height does not win fights, ability wins fights. Manny is a better boxer than Cotto," Roach said.

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