By Edri K. Aznar
JOE Santiago, the trainer of Miguel Cotto, said they have found a chink in Manny Pacquiao’s armor and will use it to their advantage on their Nov. 15 (RP time) match in Las Vegas.
“We found Pacquiao’s cracks,” said Santiago in a report posted at BoxingScene.com.
Santiago believes that Pacquiao’s weakness was exposed in his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez, a close fight wherein the Filipino escaped with a split decision.
“In the same way that Freddie may have seen the weaknesses of Miguel, we know the weaknesses of Manny. If he doubts it, review the eighth round in the second fight with Juan Manuel Marquez,” he said.
In that round, Pacquiao winced after getting hit with a body shot from Marquez.
Santiago believes his fighter is unique and possesses all the attributes of becoming boxing’s pound-for-pound No.1.
“Not to compare Marquez with Cotto, there is no comparison. Cotto has more resources. He is a versatile fighter who knows boxing, know how to fight back, and can make adjustments on the fly. And during his career, as in the fight with Joshua Clottey, he overcame adversity to prevail,” Santiago said.
Despite suffering a huge gash above his eye in his fight against Clottey, Cotto did not surrender and escaped a split decision victory.
“Miguel is very hungry for this fight and wants to show not only the people of Puerto Rico but the world that he is the best pound for pound in the world,” said Santiago.
Cotto will reportedly have to pay 1 million per pound if he fails to make 145 pounds.
“Pacquiao is a fighter who is from 130, 135-pounds, invading the welterweight division. He has done great things in boxing that can’t be taken away from him. But he never faced a natural fighter at 147 who is young and in his prime like Cotto,” he said.
The only welterweight that the 30-year-old Gen. Santos native has faced was the legendary Oscar dela Hoya, whom he defeated via an eighth round stoppage.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on November 3, 2009.
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