Roach wary of Cotto's smarts

MANILA, Philippines - Trainer Freddie Roach isn’t taking any chances in Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas this Saturday night (Sunday morning, Manila).

When Roach was in Baguio City supervising Pacquiao’s workouts, he confided that Cotto presents a unique challenge for the Filipino ring icon who’s shooting for a record seventh world title in as many weight divisions.

“Cotto can come forward or he can hit and run,” said Roach. “He’s coming off a hard win (over Joshua Clottey) and I’m sure his confidence is back (from losing to Antonio Margarito). We’re studying tapes of his fights, not to pin down his style but to list down his mistakes, things that he won’t be able to change. We’ve got to do our homework in putting together a gameplan and it’s not easy because Cotto’s pretty smart.”

Cotto’s ability to switch-hit is a concern but Roach said when the bell rings, Pacquiao will be ready for whatever the defending WBO welterweight titlist from Puerto Rico dishes out.

A natural left-hander, Cotto fights orthodox. He is expected to counterpunch in the fight, emulating what Juan Manuel Marquez did in two close contests with Pacquiao.

“We chose our sparmates based on what we expect Cotto to do against Manny,” said Roach. “(Jose Luis) Castillo) and (Danny) Escobar come forward while (Shawn) Porter and (Urbano) Antillon like to move around,” said Roach. The four sparring partners took turns in the ring with Pacquiao during the Baguio camp. At the Wild Card Gym, Roach brought in fresh sparmates Rashad Holloway and Raymundo Beltran to alternate with Porter and Antillon.

Despite Cotto’s vaunted resiliency, Roach predicted a convincing win for Pacquiao because of his speed and power.

“Cotto won’t last, that’s for sure,” continued Roach. “I don’t know if he’ll go as quickly as (Ricky) Hatton but Manny will knock him out or stop him because of cuts. Cotto’s a bleeder and Manny will take advantage of that. Cotto won’t last the distance. I’m 100 percent sure Cotto isn’t going 12 rounds with Manny.”

Cotto’s reputation as a bleeder was enhanced when he was cut above the left eye in his split decision win over Clottey last June. He managed to finish the fight on his feet but his face was a crimson mask. The gash took 20 stitches to close. Last year, the same left eyebrow was ripped open in Cotto’s knockout loss to Margarito. What makes Roach wary of Cotto is the Puerto Rican’s versatility.

“He’s not one-dimensional like Hatton,” said Roach. “He’s naturally left-handed but fights right-handed. He switch-hits. His strong hand is the left. Against Manny, he might go southpaw. He’ll try to confuse Manny by also going orthodox. He’s a clever guy and makes good adjustments during a fight. That makes him dangerous because you’ve got to be on your toes when he makes his move.”

Roach said even as Pacquiao weighed in at 138 for the fight against Hatton and will likely come in close to 145 at the weigh-in tomorrow, his body has adapted to the build-up of functional muscle that conditioning coach Alex Ariza worked on.

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“It’s incredible how Manny has matured into his new weight,” said Roach. “Most guys lose a little bit of their speed and power when they move up. But not Manny. He’s hitting harder and stronger than ever. I can feel his power when we do the mitts.”

Former world welterweight champion Carlos Palomino, however, doubts that Pacquiao will be able to take care of Cotto in the same way he manhandled David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya and Hatton who were all bigger than the Filipino.

“I believe Cotto will be a little too strong,” said Palomino, quoted by William Dettloff in The Ring Magazine. “I’m still not sold on Pacquiao being able to truly beat a full-fledged welterweight. Cotto is very strong, very dangerous. Pacquiao is, too, but I just don’t feel he can beat a legitimate 147-pounder. I still see a small guy who’s very talented and I love his hand-speed and conditioning but I still have doubts about how he can beat a legitimate welterweight.”

Roach said De la Hoya never went down against Pacquiao because the Filipino held back. It wasn’t an indication that Pacquiao’s power isn’t as potent against bigger opponents, he added.

“Once Manny lets go of that left, watch out because it’s so deadly,” said Roach. “His right hand is strong, too.I think the left will do the job on Cotto. As for pressure on Manny to win his seventh world title, that’s no problem. Manny loves pressure. Going for his seventh world title is a huge motivation. He wants it, 100 percent.

Writer Eric Raskin said “Cotto has the potential to saw Pacquiao in half with body shots or turn out his lights with a single left hook to the jaw” and described the Puerto Rican as “a legitimate superstar, one of the most reliable ticket-sellers in boxing.” As for the showdown this weekend, Raskin said, “it’s a fight where the risk-reward ratio might be just right for both boxers.”