Pac can run but he can hide from Cotto
Cotto is training on a 24x24 ring getting ready for another one of Roach many handicaps.
http://www.elnuevodia.com/lamadredelosrings-627474.html
BY HIRAM ALBERTO Torraca / Envoy
TAMPA, FLORIDA - Miguel Cotto sparring in a huge ring. Formally measure is 24 by 24.
But it seems larger.
"This is the biggest ring I've seen in my life," said a veteran American journalist who was this week in training at the Tampa Cotto Fight Factory Gym.
"This is almost half basketball court," he joked.
And Cotto is prepared on a large ring for his fight with Manny Pacquiao, on November 14 in Las Vegas, it is no coincidence.
"We know that back in Las Vegas the fight is not going to be in the ring 20 by 20," said Joe James, coach Cotto, in a recent visit to El Nuevo Dia training camp of WBO welterweight champion.
In professional boxing, the ring can be measured from 18 feet to 24. Naturally, the smaller the ring is more conducive to the fighter who is stronger and has a better punch. And the ring usually large benefits for more tiny and fast fighters.
That's why Cotto group is preparing for 'the worst'.
"We are preparing for a fight in a ring 22 by 22 or 24 by 24. Miguel has no problem fighting in any ring, since Miguel sticks and boxes, are known to move around the ring. But the idea is to do in training all the things we understand are going to face in the fight, and that is one of them, "added Santiago to emphasize that not fear the ring size affects Cotto.
"We know that the ring is not going to be 20 feet as the strongman of that fight will be Cotto. Pacquiao knows that and everybody knows it, "added the charge of designing the tactical plan of the king boricua.
According to the website www.boxrec.com, Cotto measured 5'7 ", half inch larger than Pacquiao and scope is the same. The Philippines has 37 knockouts in 54 fights for 69%, while Cotto has knocked out 27 in 35 fights, equivalent to 77%.
Pacquiao has a solid reputation as a puncher and fight in the middle of the ring, but has made only a fight in the welterweight division. That was last December when he won by TKO to Oscar de la Hoya. In that fight, Pacquiao continued almost all the time in the center ring but with his hand speed, overwhelmed a De La Hoya spent and who had not fought in the welterweight division since 2001.
It is therefore, considered that the first real test of Pacquiao to a Cotto is a natural welterweight.
And the working group believes that Cotto on November 14 there will be a little different Pacquiao, moving more to the ring.
"Basically in the physical preparation we are following the basis of what we have done previously, but specifically for this fight, we are also looking for more speed and explosiveness," said for his part, Phil Landman, Cotto's trainer.
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