By Nick Giongco
Freddie Roach has a gut feeling that Miguel Cotto is not going to press the action against Manny Pacquiao but will resort to being a counter-puncher in a bid to mess up the Filipino’s all-out attacking style when they meet on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas. Roach’s eyes lit up when told about reports about Cotto utilizing a 24×24 ring instead of the standard 18×18 that fighters normally use in preparing for fights. “Cotto will try to be a counter-puncher and be like (Juan Manuel) Marquez,” Roach told ********* Wednesday afternoon as he was awaiting the arrival of Pacquiao at the Gerry Penalosa Boxing Gym in Mandaluyong, putting sense into reports that Cotto is indeed using an oversized ring to prepare for Pacquiao.
A slugger by nature, Cotto is said to be learning counter-punching moves in the hopes of emulating what Marquez did in his two fights with Pacquiao.
While Marquez battled Pacquiao to a draw in the first match and was narrowly beaten in the rematch, the crafty Mexican is the only fighter who has given Pacquiao so much pain and punishment as all the others—like the legendary Oscar De La Hoya and even the rock-hard Ricky Hatton—proved no match to the Filipino’s blinding speed and paralyzing power.
Pacquiao was expected to go between 10 to 15 rounds with the mitts yesterday as he enters the final phase of his training in the country.
Pacquiao and the rest of his team leave for the US on Saturday night so they could resume training on Monday under more familiar conditions at the Wild Card in Hollywood.
Source: Fight-News
Yeah. The funny thing here is a lot of people in this forum said that Roach should just stfu. They don't take into account about how knowledgeable this coach is and lately has been mostly right about his analysis.
Yup, there were so many "experts" in here talking shit about Freddie and saying Manny didn't have a chance against Cotto. Oh how I wish I could've seen their faces Saturday night.
Is there ever a time Roach doesn't talk shit?
I can never see Cotto running from the smaller fighter, that's just stupid.
lmao.... well, theres a first time for everything
Yeah. The funny thing here is a lot of people in this forum said that Roach should just stfu. They don't take into account about how knowledgeable this coach is and lately has been mostly right about his analysis.
Is there ever a time Roach doesn't talk shit?
I can never see Cotto running from the smaller fighter, that's just stupid.
He's not talking shit, he's just saying the truth. Who looks stupid now?
only the braniacs of nsb would talk shit about a HOF trainer and accuse him of not knowing anything about boxing - especially w/ knowing his track record w/ predictions recently
still cant believe a smaller boxer stalkin the shit outta the bigger one.
I didn't think Miguel would start running so early in the fight. He was basically in survival mode from the 7th round on.
I'm pretty sure there are other ways to beat Pacquiao but I see your point.
Morales beat him by fighting outside and using his reach. Essentially becoming a counter puncher like JMM. can Cotto do this? IDK, we will see.
Boxing is'nt running. Cotto will out box Pacquiao.
Tough sell....
I see Cotto having two ways to approach this fight.
#1 - Cotto can take advantage of being the bigger stronger man and pressure Manny. This could be smart but speed is what makes Manny so dangerous. He can really move in and out of distance and connect with big shots to counter that strategy.
#2 - Cotto can try and emulate what Marquez did to Manny by being a counter puncher first. Problem with this one is, cotto isn't the skilled boxer JMM is IMO. It will take some very, very good boxing from Cotto to be able to do this. To play they outside game with Manny is very dangerous because it then gives him confidence and allows him more freedom to do what he does.
Other than JMM and Mayweather, I don't see any other fighter in that weight class being able to employ strategy #2.
It's a tough fight for Cotto because he will eventually have to take some chances against Manny.