MANNY NEARLY PULLS OUT OF COTTO FIGHT

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao came close to pulling the plug on Miguel Cotto if not for the assurance by promoter Bob Arum that the Puerto Rican will stake his World Boxing Organization welterweight title at a catchweight of 145 lb on Nov. 14.
Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said they were already preparing an official statement saying they will have to start looking for another opponent after reports said Cotto was not willing to stake his 147 lb title.

The reports quoted Cotto as saying he will only stake his WBO title if the fight is held at 147 lb, the welterweight limit, and that the 28-year-old champion was not willing to pay WBO the $150,000 sanctioning fee.

“Bob Arum told us not to believe everything that’s being reported. Then he assured me that Cotto will put his WBO welterweight title on the line -- at 145 pounds,” said Gacal from Gen. Santos City yesterday.

“We have to take Mr. Arum’s word on that,” added Gacal.

The Pacquiao lawyer said with the weight issue practically settled, now comes the money issue, although he said both camps have had an agreement regarding the purse sharing.

But Gacal did not give out the details, only saying that a 65-35 sharing in favor of Pacquiao should be the “worst-case scenario” for the Filipino pound-for-pound champion and today’s main attraction in boxing.

Gacal is hoping that the fight contract for Pacquiao vs Cotto be signed as soon as possible so both boxers can start focusing on what they have to do on the ring than on the negotiating table.

Reports said Cotto is scheduled to start working out today in Puerto Rico, while Roach wants Pacquiao to start limbering up before the press tour set on the second week of September.

“We were almost ready to issue a statement that we’ll start looking for a new opponent because of all those talks that Cotto wants Pacquiao to go up to 147 before he stakes his crown,” said Gacal.

Gacal, however, did not mention the boxer they had in mind in case the Cotto fight was scratched. It could be Shane Mosley, who’s offering Pacquiao everything but the kitchen sink, or someone else.

And that could even be Floyd Mayweather Jr., whom trainer Freddie Roach described as “the easiest fight of the three.”

Mayweather, who retired almost two years ago but is slated to return to the ring in September against Juan Manuel Marquez, another fighter drooling over Pacquiao.

The fight was supposed to be held in July but a rib injury sustained by Mayweather in training, coupled by poor ticket sales, led to a cancellation, and a new date on Sept. 19.

Source: http://www.philstar.com

MANNY PACQUIAO SUCCES

Fighting spirit and faith in God
Self-discipline and hard work
His dedication to training
Freddie Roach
Humility and integrity
His big heart
Prayers for Manny
His humble beginnings
Team effort
The full support of everyone around him
We must emulate him

A number of factors contribute to Manny’s success and these are: Faith in God, the courage to overcome odds, and relentless training with his superb coach, Freddie Roach. Maybe the Almighty lets Manny win his fights to boost our morale. We forget about our problems when he fights, and when he wins, we feel the euphoria for weeks before we feel depressed again.
Fighting spirit and faith in God
Manny Pacquiao’s fighting spirit, his disciplined training, his speed and his strong faith in God are his weapons, so he always wins his fights. Basically love of work or profession as seen in his dedication to practice, his strict adherence to discipline, his respect for his mentors and his focus. But the most evident about Manny’s character is his love and respect for our God that makes him a winner. Apart from his innate talent, I think that it’s his discipline, energy, and will and determination to win. It’s also impressive that the more he’s considered an underdog, the more he pushes himself. The most admirable about him is that he never fails to pray before and after every bout and never forgets to acknowledge, give credit and give thanks to God for his victory. You can see how sincere he is when he prays in the ring, as if he’s talking to a loved one. It’s very admirable and humble of him.
Self-discipline and hard work
The biggest factor, at this point in time, is the discipline that makes him very focused on his preparation for every fight. An equally important factor is the way his .His determination, courage, discipline, faith in God and humility are traits that ensure his success.
His dedication to training
We have a saying in the army, “The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in war.” This, I believe, is the key His preparation, focus, unmatched speed and most of all, his belief that in boxing, it’s better to give than to receive.
No pain, no gain! Here’s the key: He works hard first, then trusts God next, not the other way around.
Freddie Roach
It’s the intelligent coaching of Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez, without which Pacman would still be a second-rate amateur boxer. Without Freddie Roach, Pacquiao would not be what he is today. As we can see, Freddie honed his skills and concretized his taga-masa-ng-hollow-blocks-lakas that turned the Golden Boy into marshmallow and jelly. Freddie takes care of him like a baby, with TLC, but is also strict in his training and discipline. Without Freddie, there would be no Pacman. Believe me, Almighty Freddie is the key to the success of Manny. Freddie Roach could be the key to Manny Pacquiao’s success. Hard work, perseverance and discipline are important to a boxer but a good coach makes a lot of difference. A good trainer will find the best technique on how to counter height, weight and other advantages of an opponent. I disagree, though, with Mr. Que that a monument be built to immortalize Roach. We do that only for dead people. Robert Young Jr., San JuanManny is now the greatest Filipino boxer, no question about it. But he wouldn’t be where he is now without the smartness of Roach, his key to success. The key to Manny Pacquiao’s success is Manny Pacquiao. What are Manny’s attributes? First, as Freddie Roach said, no boxer with the skill, speed, and strength of Pacman has come by in a long time. In fact, Freddie said Manny is a “throwback” to a time when boxers did not cling and simply boxed until one dropped. Second, Manny does not only possess physical strength but spiritual strength as well. He is the only boxer who unabashedly and humbly prays to God before and after every fight. No wonder he is fearless inside the ring. Third, Pacman’s heart never fails him. His will to win is undoubted. And of course, Manny likewise enjoys the added blessings of a talented coach in Roach and a supportive wife and a grateful nation.
Humility and integrity
Humility in glorious victory and integrity in heartbreaking defeat is the secret of our Pambansang Kamao’s triumph in his notable career as the pound-for-pound king. Whenever he wins, he preserves his respect for his opponent and whenever he loses, he acknowledges his inadequacies. This is the true measure of a great fighter: Not the power of his mighty fist, but the magnitude of his gigantic heart. His being humble and God-fearing. He is a confident, disciplined and a determined man, but he is meek in triumph. It’s as if God is always His judge in the ring. He has a resolute character, and this serves as the foundation of his aspirations, upon which he turns his dreams become reality. Leisure sports, entertainment, cockfighting, civic activities already wallowing in wealth, he humbles himself before God. The secrets to Manny’s success are: Prayers, preparations, pagpakumbaba at pagkain ng mais!
His big heart
Manny’s big heart is the key. This is one fight where his intelligence was used. Manny Pacquiao’s key to success is his being gifted with a big fighting heart, an enduring body strength, amiable traits with pang-showbiz personality. His natural boxing skill and talent, his faith in God, and his determination to overcome odds. The key to Manny Pacquiao’s success is his being an indomitable fighter as well as his religiosity, humility and determination to achieve victory.
Prayers for Manny
Manny Pacquiao has Freddie Roach as trainer. He has the moral support of the Filipino people. And most of all, he believes in the power of prayer. Manny’s unwavering faith in God is his secret to success. But of course, we all know that God helps those who help themselves. So, it means he has to work on his body, too. I also believe that the prayer of supplication of Pacquiao’s mother helped him tremendously. Anyone who watched the “Rocky” movies must realize that Rocky Balboa, a.k.a. the Italian Stallion, was just a surreal interpretation of real-life boxers. Oscar dela Hoya, like Rocky 3, got lost in the world of multi-million dollar celebrity status while Pacman has the Filipino people praying for his success. Manny deserved it! Manny’s fate is a destiny written in his palm perhaps even before he was born to a woman named Dionisia. His mother, the passion in his big heart and indomitable spirit are all gifts and tools for a path masterplanned and blue-printed up there. Manny is simply a chosen one used by God to serve a purpose.
His humble beginnings
Early in life, he had to fend for himself and fend off the realities of life’s harsh environment. Without a father to depend on after Grade 6, the streets welcomed him as his training ground. Literally, he boxed off poverty and went on to make money for himself in the boxing world. Pure talent, dedication and intense focus coupled with a very high sense of spirituality, plus having a world-class trainer these are keys to Manny’s success.
Team effort
Clearly, it was Team Pacquiao’s collective effort, yet it was largely because of Manny’s inherent skill. Pacquiao’s determination, Roach’s expertise, Fernandez’s scientific analysis and his team’s contribution of their expertise. It was a team effort. His winning team is one of the keys to Manny Pacquiao’s success. The team I’m referring to includes the widely known promoter Bob Arum, trainer-coach Freddie Roach, bosom buddy and local trainer Buboy Fernandez, down to his battery of masseurs. But still, the deciding key factor, to my belief, is the People’s Champ’s unwavering belief and trust in our Lord Almighty, conceding the fact that all his much-needed power and strength have emanated from Him through the years. Preparedness is the key. Being the underdog made him strive to train more and TKO the llamado Dela Hoya. Also, Trainer Roach, Team Pacquiao, his family and countrymen’s prayers are key factors. I and my family also prayed for his stunning victory. Again, our congratulations to a great boxer.
The full support of everyone around him
Manny’s faith in the Lord is his key to success. The women on his side his mother and his wife are a plus factor. Manny is disciplined; he has a positive outlook, the right coach, full family support and the support of Pinoys worldwide. Plenty: He has the will to win. He is a brilliant fighter, yes, and he has the right people by his side (except for the politicians) that guide him through thick and thin. He is lucky to have Roach with him. He also has a wife who has loved him even before he became what he is today. He is a role model to our kababayans.
We must emulate him
It’s his determination, discipline, belief in God and hard work. We must emulate these qualities for us to triumph as individuals and as a nation.

MANNY PACQUIAO SECRETS REVEALED

By Jordan Taylor:

Manny Pacquiao is being talked about as the greatest fighter on the planet; and rightly so, maybe even an all time great. Pacquiao has had some outstanding wins of late, most notably his awesome KO stoppage of England’s Ricky Hatton and the 8 round mauling of the legendary Oscar de La Hoya. No-one can take away Manny’s record, it’s not padded, its impressively solid, and features victims such as Eric Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera.


Even without the marquee names and fights which gave him the name ‘The Mexecutioner’, he has had good wins over opposition like David Diaz and Jorge Solis. He is now truly in his peak, and after 22 fights with legendary trainer Freddy Roach, he looks to be on the final lap of his career, hopefully cumulating in a super fight with either Miguel Cotto or Floyd Mayweather.

Noises from his camp suggest he will fight in October and it may well be his last before he pursues his interest in politics or in making appalling folk music.

Pacquiao’s win over Hatton was extraordinary. Regardless of anyone’s views before the fight, Hatton was due to put up a fight. ‘East meets West’ was billed as a match up made in heaven. Yes we hear it every other month, much like the ‘Dream Match’ with De La Hoya, but this was genuinely anticipated by both the mainstream and the purists, the PPV figures confirm that.

Hatton was utterly humiliated on that dark night. Outclassed, outgunned, outdone in every department. The confidence before this fight from Pacman and Roach was supreme, and one did wonder if they knew something we did not. HBO’s superb 24/7 series showed both camps making noises about seeing flaws, but to the trained eye you could see Hatton’s camp was on the verge of carnage.

A scene showing an empty warehouse with Lee Beard and Hatton waiting for Mayweather Senior to turn up as he was waiting for his Onion Rings and Chili Burger would turn out to be a pivotal moment in the build up to this fight. You could even say the fight was won at that moment.

Roach declared from the start of the PR tour that his man would win in 6, Hatton would not change his style, and Manny would be too quick and powerful for the courageous but ultimately flawed Hatton. I do not believe for one minute that Roach expected it to be over that quick, but I am pretty sure he knew his man would expose the Englishman in such devastating fashion at some stage.

From what has been said post fight, it would seem Hatton and Mayweather had an altercation, one which would prove to be catastrophic for his team. Lee Beard had taken a dislike to his lateness and messy routines, and decided to train his man alongside Mayweather. Hatton entered the ring not having a good enough training camp.

The defense that had been installed in him from his trainer had been lost amongst the arguing and the absurd situation of having two mindsets approaching fight night. I would assume Hatton can be blamed for his carelessness and stupidity when not fighting with a guard up after being knocked down twice in minutes. Bernard Hopkins commented afterwards on ESPN that Hatton ‘had committed suicide’ within the first round.

Regardless of the points aired above and on forums, only one man can be accredited with spotting Hatton’s weakness. His name is Freddy Roach. He knew from day 1 what would happen in this fight, and to win it in such fashion is a credit to himself. The way he spoke of Ricky Hatton at the post fight press conference speaks volumes about his character and as a boxing trainer.

‘I like Ricky, he is a good, guy, I just don’t like his team too much. He is a 2-weight world champion, not too many people can say that. He’s a champion.’ Roach’s own ‘sparring session’ with Mayweather had been as enthralling as the fight. There was only one winning trainer that night. Much has been said of Hatton’s demise from the sport and where he should he go from here, but what about Mayweather?

He too was humiliated by his old foe. The Hatton and De La Hoya fights are almost identical in the fact that both were touted as being ‘too strong’ for the Philippino icon, but Roach was firm all along, he knew the flaws with both fighters. Oscars being his poor training camp/weight issues and the fact he was shot long before the fight, even though he beat Floyd Mayweather not so long ago in some people’s eyes.

Hatton’s was his failure to control his fighting style, appoint a defence, and most importantly the way he cocks his left hand back before he makes a hook. Genius. Again, the Oscar De La Hoya fight was so one sided it seemed the referee would be stopping it from the 4th round, such was Pacquiao’s difference in speed, movement and overall ringmanship, but that was not Oscar de La Hoya in that ring, it was a fighter who thought he still had it, dismissed Roach’s long term views that he was shot, and was promptly ejected from the sport with massive black mark on his impressive career.

I give full credit to many Pacquiao for his career, and especially his victories of late, he is by far the most exciting fighter on the planet, but there is a reason Freddy Roach has publicly stated he does not want his man to fight Mayweather, they want Cotto. I believe a lot of Pac’s victories can be credited to his trainer, as he states after every fight ‘I am just a fighter doing my job’.

The Mayweather fight would be a step too far, I think Roach is confident his man can beat Cotto, and then bring down the curtains on a great career, one where people remember him as a true great, but to the trained eye; Roach is the Man. In my eyes the greatest trainer in the world and a credit too the sport.

It will be interesting to see what he does with the talented but untested Amir Khan. Many people see the trainer and someone who merely nurture ‘born talent’, the same people say the trainer has no control over the fighter once he is in the ring. I believe Roach may even share that view, but without this man, I can pretty much guarantee Pacquiao would not be where h is today.

Manny pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto

In preparation for the November 14 bout with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao has requested some sparring help from the UK. Edinburgh southpaw Gary McMillan received a training camp invite to become a sparring partner for Pacquiao. He was used in Pacquiao’s training camp for the David Diaz fight.

McMillan plans to travel out to the Wildcard gym in Los Angeles. The fighter’s coach Terry McCormack has a strong relationship with Roach.

“This invitation doesn’t surprise,” McCormack told the Scotsman. “Freddie rates Gary very highly. Besides, Manny wants McMillan because his next opponent, Miguel Cotto, is famous for being a switch hitter who moves from orthodox to southpaw.”

PACQUIAO SECRET TRAINING

By Abac Cordero
Manny Pacquiao trains on the speed ball.

Manny Pacquiao is up to something new, something different as the 50-day countdown for his “Dream Match” with the great Oscar dela Hoya in Las Vegas begins today.

Pacquiao is now deep in training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, and yesterday he said he’s been into some covert training exercises geared toward the Dec. 6 bout.

“Sa isang sikretong lugar sa Wild Card, ginagawa rin namin ang mga pagsasanay (In one secret area of Wild Card we’ve been doing the exercises),” he wrote in his column.

The secret area he was referring to must be the east wing of the Hollywood gym, an expansion built last year to keep Pacquiao away from the prying eyes of the public while on training.

But it has never been used for that purpose at least in the last two fights – except for this one, which requires a new training regimen since Pacquiao’s is moving up to 147 pounds.

Inside the “secret room” is a new ring. Also installed were some heavy bags and weights equipment. Pacquiao uses this room only when he exercises, and moves out to the old one when he spars or works the mitts.

A Team Pacquiao insider said only the “chosen ones” are allowed in the room these days.

Pacquiao said the new form of exercises is intended to give him newfound strength, and would help him maintain his speed as he moves from 135 pounds to 147 pounds.

Dela Hoya is training at the Big Bear Camp in California under Mexican Nacho Beristain.

Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach believe that speed remains as the Pinoy boxer’s biggest weapon against the Dela Hoya who at 5-10 1/2 is at least four inches taller.

A Philboxing.com report said Pacquiao is into some weight training. But it added that the weights being used are “light and scientifically based… that will enhance Manny’s explosiveness to a large degree.”

The report also said the weight training is not meant to add muscle mass just for Pacquiao to make it to 147 pounds, and are not used everyday – not on days that he spars.

Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s new conditioning coach, who once handled the training of the late Diego Corales, doesn’t want Pacquiao to get complacent on any one routing, according to the Philboxing story.

Manny Pacquiao Secrets

Now, Manny Pacquiao's secrets revealed...
Pacman loves veggies. In an interview, he revealed how he gets his powerful punches and stays in shape without losing his strength. He said, “We should not eat just meat. We need to eat much and different vegetables to have a strong body and resistance.”




Pacman also eats enough rice usually paired with a famous Filipino food, “Tinolang Manok” (chicken ginger stew) that contains a lot of green leafy vegetables like “malunggay” and chayote.
Contrary to the accusation of Floyd Mayweather that Pacquaio takes steroids, the latter strongly denies it. He actually said that he never knew what a steroid at all. He never saw such thing.




A great coach named Roach. Indeed in every great athlete comes a great coach. Manny Pacquiao wouldn’t be on his peak today without a man on his back named, Freddy Roach.
Roach is not only Pacman’s trainer, he’s also a friend. In fact, Roach visited Pacman’s home town. He even appeared in a TV commercial along with Pacquiao in the Philippines.

He never forgets to pray. As seen during his fight on the ring, before he faces his match, he always has a moment in one corner to pray. He always wears a rosary before and after a fight.




A big cheer and a big crowd strengthen him. Pacquiao knows he needed his fans support. It’s like a holiday in the Philippines whenever he’s in MGM Grand. There’s an hour of pause in everything. His victory is the Philippine's victory. He even gives tickets to his friends to watch him fight live in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao stays humble inspite of fame. He remains the same Manny from Gen. San. though he’s now a millionaire or even a billionaire. He has helped many Filipinos and continues to donate to charities and his neighbors