Pacquiao: Cotto’s weight woes a factor in fight

11-08-09 HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao knows exactly what Miguel Cotto is undergoing. Having done the same thing before, Pacquiao pointed out that the weight reduction the Puerto Rican is doing may play a crucial role in the outcome of their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship bout a week from now. Aside from sweating it out, Pacquiao said Cotto also needed to lessen his food intake for him to go down at the desired catch weight of 145 pounds. Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao showcases his 'reporting' skills for GMA Network while training at the Wild Card Gym. GMANews.TV And the effort, according to him, is really going to be very demanding.“Mahirap talaga `yung hindi ka kakain. Malaking epekto `yun pag-dating sa fight, especially kung dikdikan ang laban. Disadvantage talaga pag nagre-reduce ka," he said. Pacquiao need not go far because he himself knows the feeling. Of his three career losses, one of them was the result of his failure to make the weight, causing him to lose his World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title to Medgoen Singsurat by way of a third round knockout in Thailand 10 years ago. He also had a hard time meeting the 130-pound limit during his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez last year, and was fortunate enough to eke out a split decision against his durable Mexican nemesis. But all those harsh battles with the weight is all behind him now. The 30-year-old Filipino, considered as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, is enjoying the luxury of eating a full meal today without any consideration about the weight issue. Pacquiao even bared that he needed to have his daily intake of food in order not to lose weight. “Puro kain nga eh. Training tapos puro kain," he said with a big laugh. “Tayo kumakain para hindi bumaba ang timbang. Ginigising pa nga ako para pakainin eh," Pacquiao added. At the moment, Pacquiao weighs around 148 to 149 pounds, but easily loses three pounds at the most after workout just like he did Saturday at the Wild Card gym. “Mga 146 ako kapag tapos ng training," the Filipino southpaw said after sparring for five rounds with Urbano Antillon and Rey Beltran. Sunday is total rest day for the boxing icon as he was also prevented from doing road works in the morning. “Kasi grabe `yung mga jogging namin nung nakaraang linggo. Mag-sprint kami, tapos akyat ng bundok. Matindi talaga," said Pacquiao, who’s only schedule of activity is to attend the early morning Sunday mass. Three more rounds of sparring will be held Monday before Pacquiao’s entourage departs for a six-hour road trip to Las Vegas. - GMANews.TV