Weight battle over: Pacquiao, Cotto now brace for war

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao had a trouble-free trip at the weighing scales while his Puerto Rican rival Miguel Cotto barely made the limit Friday (Saturday in Manila) on the eve of their battle for Cotto’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto show off their fine forms during the official weigh-in for their ‘Firepower’ title fight Friday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. AP

Before a raucous crowd of 7,000 fans, the 30-year-old Pacquiao easily checked in at 144 lbs. while natural 147-pounder Cotto, who reportedly had trouble sliding in weight, tipped the scales at exactly the stipulated catch weight of 145 lbs.

The Pacman’s 144 lb was his heaviest ever weight, according to the Associated Press. He fought at welterweight only once before, last year against the legendary Oscar de la Hoya, but he weighed in at only 142 lbs for that “Dream Match" that ended with “Golden Boy" quitting on his stool at the start of the ninth. The last time Pacquiao climbed the ring against erstwhile light-welterweight supreme Ricky Hatton, he was 138 lbs.

With no worries whatsoever about cutting down on food before the weigh-in, Pacquiao came to the well-attended activity relaxed and in good mood, even engaging in a colorful banter with the event’s host, actor Jeremy Piven.

Piven asked Pacquiao if it is his strategy to become abstinent during training for a fight and the Pacman, according to the Las Vegas Sun, replied: “This is like the Jimmy Kimmel show... Once I start my training I have to focus on my fight so there is no more, I mean, there is no more night time."

For the 29-year-old Cotto, the 145 lb mark was his lightest since weighing the same two years ago in his winning bout with Zab Judah.

The Boricuan bomber virtually admitted having exerted extra effort to cut down his weight but maintained that he’s in the best of shape for Saturday’s fight (Sunday in Manila).

“I think everybody is unhappy when they can’t eat," Cotto was quoted as saying by the Las Vegas Sun. “But I’m pretty healthy. I ate well for this fight. My strength will be too much tomorrow night."

As if to demonstrate the electricity generated by the fight, celebrities turned up for the official weigh-in. The Las Vegas Sun reported the likes of New York Giants’ running back Brandon Jacobs; retired boxer Roberto Duran; Puerto Rican champ Juan Manuel Lopez; and Filipino WBA interim super flyweight boss Nonito “The Filipino" Flash" Donaire, Jr.

Roach, Santiago ‘showdown’

While the two protagonists maintained a cordial demeanor towards each other, their respective trainers did add some “tension" to the affair.

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We believe we have an advantage in speed and in power, too. My speed is still there and if you have speed you can create power,

– Manny Pacquiao

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Pacquiao’s guru, Freddie Roach, and Cotto’s trainer Joe Santiago, got into a heated argument, apparently over Cotto’s weight, the Las Vegas Sun reported. But Top Rank boss Bob Arum stood in the way and stopped it cold.

Engaging the opponent’s trainer is nothing new to Roach as the three-time Trainer of the Year awardee exchanged barbs with Floyd Mayweather, Sr., who handled latest Pacquiao KO victim Hatton last May. It is said to be part of Roach’s psy-war strategies.

The two protagonists, though, were leaving it up to their trainers to get into each other’s skin, preferring to settle the issue inside the ring.

"We believe we have an advantage in speed and in power, too. My speed is still there and if you have speed you can create power," Pacquiao said in an Associated Press report.

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), who reportedly plans to enter the ring on fight night at around 149 lbs., will be gunning for a historic major title in a seventh weight division, after earlier conquests at the flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, and light welterweight classes.

Additionally, at stake for the “Firepower" showdown is the first-ever World Boxing Council Diamond Belt, an honorary championship for elite boxers like Pacquiao and Cotto. This belt is handcrafted by an artisan in Mexico City and features 18 carat gold fusion with about 800 diamonds, emeralds and rubies, as well as 150 Swarovsky semiprecious stones.

Underdog Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), who is expected to climb the ring a lot heavier than Pacquiao, is poised to keep his WBO belt and prevent the reigning pound-for-pound king from reaching another career milestone at his expense. Observers, however, noted that the diet regimen that Cotto underwent during training might be a factor come fight night.

“If he (Pacquiao) thinks he is going to win seven titles in seven weight divisions now, he has picked the wrong moment, the wrong fighter and the wrong opponent. If he thinks he is going to win the seventh title against Miguel Cotto, he is very wrong," Cotto said.

But the Pacquiao camp will be ready for everything that the 29-year-old from Caguas, Puerto Rico will bring into the ring.

“I truly think Cotto’s going to run around us a little bit because he’s going to try to be more of a counter-puncher in this fight," Roach said.

“I’m not exactly sure if he’s going to try and use his strength early or use his boxing ability early. We’re just prepared for whatever he brings," he added.

And that means even to the point of going toe-to-toe against the bigger and stronger champion.

“One hundred percent. We will trade with him if he wants to, yes," Roach said. - GMANews.TV


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Let's get ready to watch the fight of the year or possibly the best fight of the decade. All is set and only a few hours left for fight night WBO Welterweight Championship Firepower: Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto. Both camps have prepared their strategies and their secret weapons will be revealed tomorrow and let us see who will bring the most efficient and powerful artillery. Ricky Hatton's scud missile of a punch although I can say is considered a powerful weapon in his arsenal never really hit Pacquiao and the Filipino fighter's bombs got him first which landed spot on and with the effectiveness of the US military's MOAB "Daisy Cutter" bomb.

Hopefully, Manny Pacquiao kept his arsenal intact, with his blazing hand speed, quickness in lateral movement and the mighty power of his fists. He'll need it when facing the mysterious strong and tough guy Miguel Cotto. We'll never know what is in store for Pacquiao.

So this coming exchange of blows by two gentlemen of this violent sport of boxing, will reveal the real deal between the two. One who will automatically face the former pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.


Raul B. Romilla
Boxing Fanatico

Pacquiao set to deliver knockout to Cotto, says Roach

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has predicted a knockout by the Filipino southpaw when he challenges Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title next month.

Roach had initially forecast the November 14 bout in Las Vegas would go the full distance but he has since changed his tune because of his fighter's impressive work in training camp.

"Camp is going very, very well and we are 100 percent ready for the fight," Roach said on a teleconference call with Pacquiao on Wednesday.

"I feel like Manny, the way he is punching right now and with the power has at this weight, is going to knock Cotto out. I am very confident and I look forward to the win.

"I just think Miguel Cotto's defense isn't good enough. He's hittable and people that Manny can hit he knocks out."

Pacquiao, who has a career record of 49-3-2 with 37 knockouts, spent a month training with Roach in the Philippines before returning to Los Angeles this week to complete his preparations.

Although their time in Manila had to be cut short with Pacquiao being distracted by mass local attention, Roach described their trip to Asia as a great success overall.

"We had the best first four weeks we have ever had and Manny was on fire from day one," he said. "We are just getting ready for Miguel Cotto whatever he brings. If he wants to box us or if he wants to fight us, we are ready for both."

Pacquiao, a winner of six world titles in as many different weight divisions who is regarded by many as boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter, is again moving up in weight to take on Cotto.

SPLIT DECISION

He respectfully acknowledged the challenge posed by the Puerto Rican who retained his WBO title with a gruelling split decision win over Ghana's Joshua Clottey in June.

"Cotto is a bigger guy than me, a hard puncher and strong," Pacquiao said. "He is the champion for this fight and I am the challenger.

"So I am not underestimating Cotto's abilities in boxing," added the Filipino, who cemented his status as the sport's top fighter with a stunning second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton in May to claim the IBO light welterweight crown.

Cotto, 34-1 with 27 KOs, is renowned for his punching power, strength and intelligence but Roach firmly believes Pacquiao's speed will give him the upper hand.

"He (Cotto) makes certain adjustments when he fights southpaws and it's something we expect," Roach said. "But he has never fought a guy like Manny Pacquiao with his speed.

"I think he's going to have trouble with that speed. I really don't think he can handle it."

Roach also rebuffed the danger posed by the Puerto Rican's left hook.

"It's pretty strong but I don't think it's the strongest we ever faced though," he said. "Hatton was supposed to be stronger than us also but I had no worries about that because that doesn't win fights.

"Boxing ability will win fights and Manny is a better boxer than him and will show that on the night."

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All I can say that good luck to both fighters but I hope Manny Pacquiao delivers. Do make us proud again Manny and we're counting on you.

boxingfanatico.blogspot.com

Countdown to Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto Firepower

Only a few days remaining on the much awaited bout between the pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao and the reigning WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. I have included a countdown on my blog and I will keep you updated on these two excellent fighters up to show time. I will update this blog daily so please keep visiting and participate also on the polls I created on which who you think will win this megafight of the year. And there are still questions on who is really the pound for pound king so choose who you think is the real deal and let the polls decide and the majority wins. No prizes for now, just bragging rights but this bragging rights that I mentioned is a prized weapon when discussions arises. So vote. Please follow, add and share your comments on the upcoming bout and as I have said, I welcome both positive and negative as long as its constructive and so we can have intelligent exchange of ideas. I created this site about 3 days ago and you'll notice that fighters featured are mostly Filipinos. I am more familiar with Filipino fighters and in order to start this blog, I decided to feature boxers to which I'm most familiar with. I promise I'll be featuring other boxing greats and their fights like Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, Kelly Pavlik, Juan Manuel Lopez and more.

Your contributions to this site will be very valuable in making this better.

For now, the countdown begins.

boxingfanatico.blogspot.com

Miguel Cotto Could Be Next Spoiler As Puerto Rican “Game Changers” Not Unusual In Sport’s History

Although boxing and betting experts are bestowing their beliefs and bank accounts on a Manny Pacquiao victory over Miguel Cotto on Saturday November 14, Miguel Cotto believes differently and boxing history books tell a different story as there have been many a Puerto Rican fighter—from an island rich in producing infamous boxing champions—who have come in the underdog and walked away with the upset victory. Cotto looks to keep the tradition of these former Puerto Rican fighters alive by doing the same to Pacquiao when they meet in one of the most exciting boxing battles of the year..

March 30, 1965: Jose Torres KO 9 Willie Pastrano, MSG, NYC (Wins world light heavyweight title): Pastrano, a veteran of 82 fights, is dropped by Cus D'Amato protege and 1956 Olympic silver medalist Torres, 34-1-1, in the sixth round, and the fight is stopped between the ninth and 10th. Torres, 28, becomes an instant hero in NYC. Pastrano, 29, never fights again.

November 13, 1965: Carlos Ortiz W 15 Ismael Laguna, San Juan (Regains WBC lightweight title): Seven months earlier, Panamanian speed demon Laguna, 40-2-1, had taken the title from the 28-year-old Ortiz in Panama City. In the rematch, Ortiz, 45-5, stuns the world by negating Laguna's speed and reclaiming the title by unanimous decision. They would fight a rubber match in 1967, with Ortiz winning by unanimous decision in New York City.

March 6, 1976: Wilfred Benitez W 15 (split) Antonio Cervantes, San Juan (Wins WBA junior welterweight title): Puerto Rico's Benitez, 17, becomes the youngest world titlist in history (record still stands) by brilliantly outpointing consummate pro Cervantes, 30, who was making his 11th defense and engaging in his 86th fight. It can be argued that defensive genius Benitez, 26-0, never matched this performance despite going on to win world titles at two additional weights.

November 17, 1972: Esteban DeJesus W 10 Roberto Duran, MSG, NYC (non-title bout): In the first of what would be three epic battles, the 21-year-old DeJesus, 33-1, floors lightweight champion Duran, 31-0, with a left hook in round one and goes on to win a unanimous decision to the delight of the predominantly Puerto Rican crowd at the Garden. Duran would win the second and third bouts, both title fights, by kayo, and DeJesus would go on to win the WBC 135-pound title.

October 28, 1978: Wilfredo Gomez KO 5 Carlos Zarate, Hato Rey, PR (Retains WBC super bantamweight title): The 21-year-old super bantamweight champion Gomez, 21-0-1, shocks the boxing world by crushing Mexico's Zarate, the reigning bantamweight champion who is ranked in the top three on virtually all pound-for-pound lists. It is Gomez's sixth title defense. Zarate was favored because he entered the ring with a barely believable record of 52-0 with 51 kayos. Both fighters struggle to make weight, but Zarate needs four trips to the scale to reduce to 122, and is clearly weakened by the effort

September 26, 1986: Edwin Rosario KO 2 Livingstone Bramble, Miami Beach (Wins WBA lightweight title): After losing to Hector Camacho in June, Rosario, 28-2, is a significant underdog against the 26-year-old Bramble, 24-1-1, and in his prime after scoring wins over Ray Mancini (twice) and Tyrone Crawley. Rosario, 23, flaunts his crushing kayo power against a fighter with a defense that had been thought to be impenetrable. It is the start of Rosario's second reign as a 135-pound titlist.

September 18, 1999: Felix Trinidad W 12 Oscar De La Hoya, Las Vegas (Retains IBF welterweight title; Wins WBC welterweight title): In a hotly anticipated battle of unbeaten champions and icons, Trinidad and De La Hoya add a significant chapter to the history of Puerto Rico-Mexico (or Mexican-American) battles. The 26-year-old Trinidad, 35-0, rallies in the late rounds, forces De la Hoya to retreat and wins a controversial majority decision.

ABOUT PACQUIAO vs. COTTO

Promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, FIRE POWER: PACQUIAO vs. COTTO will take place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as “Henry Armstrongesque,” winning world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocking out and retiring Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to complete the trifecta. This year, he picked up where he left off last year – winning another world title in a new weight division – by dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a one-punch second-round knockout on May 2.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico has sold more tickets to Madison Square Garden in this millennium than any other fighter. He has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto held the WBO junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title in February, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO welterweight champion. Notable scalps on Cotto’s belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Paulie Malignaggi and Demarcus Corley.

The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com.

HBO's® fast-moving reality series "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto" returns with an all new episode on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their November 14 pay-per-view showdown. Episodes one and two are available on HBO ON DEMAND®.

Source: East Side Boxing

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Upsets are not uncommon in boxing and seemingly invincible boxing champs got beaten in a pulp by once unheralded boxing newcomers or washed up looking old-timers. Always a possibility in the world of boxing. But for me, as long as Manny Pacquiao follows Freddie Roach's training regimen, he can take care of himself inside the ring. I'm sure Roach is aware of Cotto's punching power being the bigger guy and makes the necessary adjustments in defense. I hope Manny Pacquiao wins convincingly and I wish him more success to his endeavors.

Raul B. Romilla
BoxingFanatico.blogspot.com

Marvin Sonsona Gearing Up For War

Marvin Sonsona (born on July 25, 1990) is a Filipino boxer from General Santos City, South Cotabato. He is the Current WBO Super flyweight Champion. A relative of his named Eden Sonsona is also a boxer and a former Philippine national bantamweight champion. One of Sonsona's trainers is Nonito Donaire Sr., the father and former trainer of Nonito Donaire.

Sonsona started boxing at 7 years of age under the tutelage of his uncle. Before fighting as a professional, he fought 150 times as an amateur.

He won his pro debut at flyweight on points then knocked out his next ten opponents in short rounds. All his first opponents were unknowns but then he also knocked out former two time WBC world Champion Thai fighter Wandee Singwancha (record 57-10) via second-round KO.

Sonsona climbed up in weight to challenge José López for the WBO super flyweight title on September 5, 2009. He scored a knockdown in the fourth round and fought his way to a unanimous decision victory.^[4]

He is Scheduled to Defend his title for the first time on November 11, 2009 again at Casino Rama, Ontario, Canada against a Mexican Orthodox named Alejandro Hernandez.

Source: Wikipedia

MANILA -- World super flyweight champ “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona is doing well in his preparations for his first title defense on November 21, according to his trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr.

Donaire, Sr., who is working with Sonsona’s long time coach Juan Agrabio to whip up the champ to shape, told InsideSports.ph that the Filipino lefty is already entered the sparring phase of his training.

Sonsona, the youngest Filipino world champion today at 19, is scheduled to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight title against Mexico’s Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez.

Sonsona, who won the WBO belt from veteran Jose “Carita” Lopez of Puerto Rico, remained undefeated in 14 fights (12 knock outs) while Hernandez has a fighting record of 22-7 (11 knock outs).

The fight will take place in Casino Rama in Canada, the site of Sonsona’s victory over Lopez.

Donaire Sr. said Sonsona is currently sparring 4 to 6 rounds on some days and works on the punch-mitts in Mandaue City, Cebu.

He added that he doesn’t want Sonsona to spar with heavier opponents and instead has him going up against the likes of Filipino boxer Richard Bitos, who is regarded for his quickness.

Donaire Sr. said the lanky southpaw currently weighs 130 pounds but should have no problem making the 115 pound limit at the official weigh-in.

Sonsona: I had no idea I'd become a champ

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By Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA -- When Marvin Sonsona first laced his gloves for an amateur fight 12 years ago, he had no inkling that he’d become a world champion someday.

In fact, what he wanted back then was to be a policeman.

“Pangarap ko po dati maging pulis,” said the 19-year-old Filipino boxer who decisively beat erstwhile WBO super flyweight champion Jose “Carita” Lopez in Ontario, Canada last Friday (Saturday in Manila).

The “Marvelous” Marvin connected a powerful right hook to Lopez’s jaw sending the Puerto Rican down to the canvass in the fourth round.

The 37-year-old Lopez, a veteran of nearly 50 fights, eventually recovered from the decking. But it was that knockdown that put the younger Marvin ahead in the score cards.

“Hindi ko naman nai-imagine noong bata ako na magiging world champion ako,” said the soft-spoken Marvin.

Family of boxers

Marvin, the eldest among three siblings, grew up in General Santos City just like “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao and Rolando “Bad Boy of Dadiangas” Navarette.

His father introduced him to boxing when he was just seven years old.

“’Iyong papa ko po nagturo sa akin, boksingero rin siya dati,” said Marvin, who is also related to RP bantamweight champion Eden Sonsona.

Marvin’s younger brother also tried his luck as an amateur. “Pero pinahinto ko na lang,” he added.

Life wasn’t easy for his family. He had to work as a garbage collector to help his parents provide their basic needs.

“Nagtatapon po ako ng basura… basurero po ako noon. Kahit nagbo-boksing na ko,” he said.

He eventually dropped out from high school and gave up his dream to become a police officer due to financial difficulties. But he continued boxing.

To test his mettle as a young amateur, he has joined several regional and national meets.

“Marami na rin akong nagiging laban sa amateur. Naglaro na po ako sa Batang Pinoy, National Youth Open at Palarong Pambansa,” he said.

Turning pro

Banking on his raw punching power, Marvin has compiled a considerable number of wins. He tried his luck as a professional boxer upon reaching the age of 17.

“Hindi pa ako pinayagan kasi masyadong bata pa daw,” remembered Marvin. “Then isinama nila ako sa exhibition sa Ynares Plaza sa Binangonan, Rizal, doon sa ‘In This Corner’? Noong tinalo ko iyong kalaban ko, in-approve nila akong maging professional.”

From then on, he collected 13 straight wins. Out of these victories, 12 ended by knockouts and none of them went beyond five rounds.

Some of his biggest tests were against Thai boxers Liempetch Sor Veerapol and Wandee Singwancha.

Marvin fought Veerapol in January, 2009 for the WBO Asia Pacific Youth title. He beat Veerapol by technical knock out in the fourth round.

Singwancha, a former world champion, suffered the same fate in the hands of the “Marvelous” in May, 2009. Marvin won the WBO Oriental flyweight title by beating Singwancha in just two rounds.

“When we saw him win over Singwancha, sabi namin ‘mukhang handa na siya para sa isang world title fight’,” said Marvin’s Filipino promoter Sammy Gello-ani.

Canadian support

Marvin is already 19 when he won against Singwancha. However, to the eyes of US boxing promoters, he is still a boy.

“Nobody wanted to promote him in America because he’s very young. So we ask them [boxing promoters] in Canada: are you willing to gamble? He’s a potential boxing champion,” said Gello-ani.

Orion Sports Management President Allan Tremblay took the gamble.

With the help of international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, they have penciled Marvin for a September 4 match up with Lopez at the Casino Rama in Ontario.

The showdown was dubbed “Rumble at Rama IX”.

Marvin was well supported by the Filipino community in Canada. In fact, according to Gello-Ani, two-thirds of those who attended the fight were Canada-based Filipinos.

Marvin then showed Lopez why he is known as the “Marvelous”, firing his right fist and the thunderous left that dropped the Puerto Rican. “Carita” seemed to have become desperate in the latter rounds and was deducted points for a couple of low blows.

Judges saw the fight 114-111, 115-110 and 116-109, all in favor of Marvin. He went home as the winner.

For the love of his family

Marvin said most of his winnings, amounting to more than a million pesos, will go to his family.

He said he has become a boxer to feed his family.

“Basta kung ano ang maiuuwi ko sa pamilya ko, sila na bahala. Wala kasi silang trabaho, mga kapatid ko nag-aaral,” said Marvin.

In the end, he said he only wanted his family to be happy.

“Masaya po ang pamilya ko, magaan po ang pakiramdam nila,” Marvin, the latest “Wonder Boy” of Philippine boxing, said while smiling.

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While I can confidently say that more than 90% of Filipino fans are excitedly awaiting the PPV superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, there is another upcoming superstar in the making who can possibly equal if not surpass the achievement of the current boxing great Manny Pacquiao. His name is Marvin Sonsona, the current WBO Superflyweight Champion. Wait for this kid's time to shine. Mark my word.


Raul B. Romilla
boxingfanatico.blogspot.com