ROACH QUIETLY PREDICTS A PACQUIAO WIN IN TEN
Ben Thompson
9/11/2009
Although world-class trainer Freddie Roach readily admits that Miguel Cotto will be the most difficult fight to date for pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao, his confidence in his star pupil remains unwavering. At yesterday's press conference to kickoff the promotional tour, a fan shouted out to Roach, asking for his prediction for the fight. Without saying a word, Roach simply smiled and held up ten fingers, hinting that the bout would not go past the tenth round.
In previous interviews, Roach has offered nothing but praise for the Puerto Rican superstar, admitting that Cotto's size and strength would likely prevent a knockout victory. "This is the hardest fight of our life. I believe that 100%. I don't think we can win by knock out this time. I think we will win via a decision. This guy is a game, tough guy. He has already been in camp for three weeks. If he wins this fight everything bad that has happened in his career goes away. This is the fight of his life," Roach stated as he spoke to Scott Dryden of profighting-fans.com.
The fact that Roach suggested that the fight wouldn't go the distance is a stark contrast to what he's been saying thus far. Now that he's reunited with Pacquiao after last speaking to him nearly four weeks ago, perhaps Roach is feeling more confident knowing that training will begin shortly. "We begin September 20th and that will give us eight weeks, which is our normal period of training. We're already running in the mornings, but I don't want to start too early. We always start eight weeks before and that's what we will do," Roach added.
With the promotional tour officially started, it appears that both Pacquiao and Roach are now on the same page as they begin to focus on the task at hand come November 14th. Having already predicted the outcome of Pacquiao's fights with Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya, it will be truly amazing if another one of Roach's predictions comes to fruition. If Pacquiao can stop Cotto in ten, he'll leave little room for argument that he truly is the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet.
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