So when he says the "Pacman" is going to win his 12-round fight against Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title two weeks from now, there’s little room left to doubt the man.
“Ako tingin ko talaga mananalo si Manny. Kung ako ang pupusta, within rounds 1 to 5, baka diyan bumagsak si Cotto," he said.
It was in the weekly boxing show “Blow By Blow," produced by Nazario, Lainez and Mondejar, where the then gangling Pacquiao had his humble beginning.
It was also through them that Pacquiao won his first world title (World Boxing Council flyweight crown) in Thailand 11 years ago, and subsequently, his first foray in the rich American boxing circuit in 2001.
So familiar he is with the boxer he already considers as his son that Lainez wouldn’t dispute what trainer Freddie Roach said in passing that Pacquiao may even knock Cotto out in the first round of their November 14 showdown.
Like Hatton
“Naniniwala ako na may posibilidad pa yun. Hindi malayong maging Hatton yan," he said.
Pacquiao’s former handler was obviously referring to the vicious second-round demolition suffered by Briton Ricky Hatton at the hands of Pacquiao when they clashed for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) light-welterweight title six months ago.
Like Hatton, Lainez said Cotto does have the size and strength factor going his way.
But as past opponents of Pacquiao would later admit, including Hatton, former world lightweight champion David Diaz and the legendary Oscar De La Hoya, it’s the speed of the current pound-for-pound king that blew them away.
Cotto would be no exception.
“Malaking factor `yung bilis ng kamay at suntok ni Pacquiao. Bibitaw yan, 1-2-3-4. Bago maka-react si Cotto, wala na agad si Manny.
“At tsaka sa welterweight, sa tingin ko mabagal si Cotto," he said of the 28-year-old warrior from Caguas, Puerto Rico, whose World Boxing Organization (WBO) title will be at stake.
Not the same after loss to Margarito
Lainez also pointed out what other boxing expert had been saying – Cotto has never been the same fighter he once was after suffering his first career loss to Mexican Antonio Margarito last year.
Margarito stopped Cotto in the 11th round of their action-packed welterweight clash, a result that later would be held under suspicion after the Mexican was caught applying illegal hand-wraps during his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley.
“Sabihin na nating kargado si Margarito, pero si Cotto nag-deteriorate na after nung laban na yun. Parang takot ng matamaan," Lainez said, even pointing to the outcome of Cotto’s last fight against Joshua Clottey, which the Puerto Rican won by split decision.
“Tingin ko nga panalo pa si Clottey doon. Binigay na lang kay Cotto dahil nga para maikasa itong laban kay Pacquiao," he added.
And should Pacquiao fail to score a knockout and the fight goes the full route, the Filipino has all the more chance of winning.
“Pacquiao pa rin. Mas marami siyang sumuntok kaysa kay Cotto, eh." said Lainez.
Only one way would Cotto be able to pull off an upset, according to the man behind the weekly boxing show "Rod Nazario’s In This Corner."
“Sa boxing meron tayong lucky punch. Ang panalo lang ni Cotto knockout." – GMANews.TV
Cotto Washed Up? Think Again!
Miguel Cotto is undoubtedly one of the most exciting boxers out there today. He personifies what a great boxer should truly be: a champion who strives to face the best competition while continuing to improve his craft.
In my opinion, too much emphasis has been put on his loss to Margarito and his “controversial” win against Clottey. Many so-called “experts” have branded him as a washed up fighter while others have questioned if he is the same fighter mentally. Are you kidding me?
Without a doubt, Miguel Cotto is still an elite fighter; maybe even one of the top 5 boxers today. His lone loss to Margarito should be changed to a No Contest. How many of you actually believe that the Mosley fight was the first time that Margarito used plaster on his handwraps? When has Margarito ever been that dominant against an elite fighter before the Cotto fight? He clearly lost against Daniel Santos and Paul Williams and struggled to win a decision over an injured Clottey. Even with the plaster on his wraps, Cotto was still winning throughout most of the fight until his body could no longer handle the damage caused by Margarito’s loaded gloves.
The questions about his mental state are nonsense. On the contrary, his mental strength is one of his best attributes. How many times have we seen him hurt and knocked down in fights, only to come back and find a way to win? How many “mentally damaged” fighters, whose confidence was supposedly shaken, would have taken a fight in the first place against Clottey, who was considered to be one of the most “avoided” fighters at the time?
The truth is Miguel Cotto remains to be among the elite in the welterweight division. He is far from being a washed up fighter. What exactly is the definition of a washed up fighter in the first place? Is it a fighter who struggles against subpar opponents? Well, Cotto dominated a solid fighter in Jennings after the Margarito fight. Is it a fighter who can no longer be competitive against the elites of the division? Didn’t Cotto just beat Joshua Clottey?
While some may question the validity of his victory over Clottey since he escaped with a narrow decision, the fact remains that Cotto did enough to win despite a severe cut over his eye. Besides, has anyone ever dominated Clottey in his career? Throughout the history of boxing, there are always fighters that are tough to look impressive against and Clottey just happens to be one of those fighters. He’s got enough skill, toughness and awkwardness to challenge anybody in the division.
Miguel Cotto may not win against Pacquiao, but before anyone completely writes him off or makes him a 3-1 underdog, they probably need to look at Cotto’s past fights. He is a very versatile fighter who can box coming forward or backwards. He fights in an orthodox manner, but is a naturally a southpaw and often switches stances during his fights. Many experts often mention that Pacquiao’s speed will be too much for Miguel Cotto, but that is what they said before the Judah and Mosley fights as well. Speed is a great asset no doubt, but it can be nullified with great accuracy and timing, both of which Miguel Cotto has unveiled as weapons.
No matter what happens come November 14th, it will only enhance the legacy of both fighters. Pacquiao and Cotto are two of the classiest and most humble fighters in the sport. If you ask a number of Filipinos who their favorite fighter is besides Pacquiao, a great number would likely mention Cotto. Likewise, many Puerto Ricans love Pacquiao for his style and aggressiveness. This fight may not surpass the pay-per-view numbers of Mayweather vs. Marquez, but it will surely provide far more action and excitement, making the fans the real winners regardless of the outcome.
-------Here are two different opinions on the outcome regarding the much awaited megabuck fight between Philippine pride Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican boxing hero Miguel Cotto. I am a big Pacquiao fan I must admit and his incredible punching power plus the blazing speed of his mitts inside the ring is spectacular and thank heavens for replays so we can watch again and again what happened when his opponent got knocked down or out.
I have mentioned before, Pacquiao already carved his name in history and win or lose, he's already a boxing legend which will be talked about in many generations of boxing fans.
I hope DC or Marvel makes a comics of his exploits. Or maybe create another gamma exposed superhero that fights intergalactic species in boxing. Kidding aside, Manny Pacquiao, you are Philippine's living hero.
Regarding this coming bout with WBO Welterweight Champ Miguel Cotto, I consider him a dangerous fighter. His silence could mean depth and hidden strength that can be revealed only on the day of the bout. I hope Pacquiao would keep his guard up and a number of well placed mighty punch from this guy could mean trouble for Pacquiao. He looks tough as nails and as a veteran of more than 30 fights, I bet he can handle a lot shots in the face and body.
I don't want to predict but I just hope Pacquiao will beat the heck out of him.
Raul Romilla
boxingfanatico.blogger.com
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