Is Manny Pacquiao concentrating on Miguel Cotto yet?

While I have predicted an easy win over Miguel Cotto November 14 by Manny Pacquiao, recent comments attributed to him and his promoter tell me they are not as confident.

Pacquiao, as reported by NY Examiner Michael Marley has recently said "I have nothing else to prove."

www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m10d3-Storm-clouds-over-Baguio-Pacquiaos-words-worry-me


Promoter Bob Arum told the Manila Bulletin he has big fights lined up for Pacquiao no matter what happens Nov. 14 against Cotto. Arum also said Pacquiao could still fight while pursuing his political ambitions and while being a congressman.

www.mb.com.ph/articles/223160/arum-sees-pacquiao-fighting-solonto


Pacquiao is rumored to be running for the congressional seat in the Sarangani Province -hometown of his wife Jinky.

Perhaps this is just all a misunderstanding and he should have left The Philippines a few weeks ago for trainer Freddie Roach's gym in Hollywood, CA , USA?

Maybe breaking training camp against the wishes of Freddie Roach to visit dangerously - flooded areas of his homeland including Manila was honorable but a major distraction to his training strategy.

Pacquiao is scheduled to spend a few weeks at Roach's gym soon enough. As a Devil's Advocate would say, "Take a big whiff. This is called pressure."

I'm sure that in a few days fighter, trainer, camp aides, advisors and promoter will all be on the same page and say the same and right thing.

Maybe this is where the promoter must say something that strategically says the opponent (Cotto) has a chance to win just for the sake of the promotion and remember that Arum also promotes Cotto so politically he has to cover his bases anyway.

Cotto, who only won a vacant title to earn his current 147 belt, has had two brutal fights against Antonio Margarito (loss) and Joshua Clottey (win) that I believe will affect his future performances, even though he is only 28.

Before these two fights I thought Cotto was a top 10 Pound for Pound fighter. But not anymore. I think Cotto will look good for a few rounds as he is a consummate professional and naturally bigger and stronger than Pacquiao.

But Pacquiao has a superior, prolific offense, rarely gets countered, and Roach is a fantastic strategist. I believe after a few rounds this is an easy fight for Pacquiao.

Not that a weakened Cotto takes anything away from Pacquiao, who is simply running out of competitive opponents within his competitive weight boundaries and is still my No. 1 Pound for Pound fighter in the world.

However, because of what I'm hearing the odds are tightening up on this fight.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-11372-Dallas-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m10d4-Is-Manny-Pacquiao-concentrating-on-Miguel-Cotto-yet