why not? Hatton was obviously a legit 140 pound fighter (owned the ring belt and was undefeated at that weight). No one dominated Ricky like that, no one, not even floyd (who took 10 rounds to finish him off and actually lost a few rounds himself).
Sure, Oscar looked old in that fight but I believe Pacquiao's speed was a factor in making him look old.
You can delete the oscar fight from your memory if you'd like, he was pound 4 pound #1 prior to Oscar.
In addtion, Pacquiao is SMALLER than all these guys. He was fighting at 130 pounds in 2008.
^ Good points, another thing is that Hatton, in the fight before his fight with Pacquiao...had his most impressive performance (Malignaggi) since his career defining with over Tszyu. Which after the Diaz fight, is looking all the more impressive,IMO.
In the De La Hoya fight, its so easy in hindsight to say...'Oh, he was washed up, and weight drained...blah blah blah'
Sure.
Manny was a huge underdog in the fight, and most...despite us all knowing that Oscar's best days were behind him, and that he'd have to come down to 147...thought that he would still prove too much for little Manny.
Then, we all know what happens...and the incredible win is all credited to Oscar being old and 'weight drained'.
Excellent choice by roach. Has anyone seen omar henry fight? He IS Cotto's black twin! I posted a short video of him below, he fights exactly like cotto.
Team Pacquiao awaits Cotto ‘clone’
By Francis Ochoa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BAGUIO CITY - There was a faint, however palpable, murmur of doubt from the boxing online community when trainer Freddie Roach said Manny Pacquiao will weld Miguel Cotto’s behind to the canvas when the two clash on November 14 in Las Vegas.
Shawn Porter, though, thinks the doubters are in for a surprise. “He’s going to shock the world again,” Porter said.
That’s from a guy who earned his share of applause from an appreciative gym crowd after landing jarring punches and crisp combinations at the Filipino pound-for-pound icon Thursday, the second day of sparring for Pacquiao.
“He’s getting hit too much but that’s because his timing isn’t there yet,” said Roach, who noted that Pacquiao generally starts off slow during the opening two weeks of training camp.
“First couple of weeks aren’t always the best. But we don’t really start boxing until six weeks before the fight so we’re still ahead of schedule.”
Pacquiao, though, didn’t seem to be bothered by the hits, opening himself up to barrages while leaning on the ropes as if to say he can absorb the best that his sparring partners can dish off. And to underscore that point, Team Pacquiao is planning in yet another beast of a sparring partner in Omar Henry, another Cotto clone.
“[Henry has] the same build, same everything, same haircut; the guy likes to be Miguel Cotto,” said conditioning coach Alex Ariza of the sparring partner who is expected here within the week.
Porter, though, admitted that he felt the sting in Pacquiao’s punches this early and said that the first few days of sparring isn’t much of a gauge as far as preparedness is concerned.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” said Porter. “It’s just a matter of staying focused and getting him more ready.”
This early, Pacquiao has now logged seven rounds of sparring and Roach admits that they’re still at 40 percent for the fight against Cotto, where the Pacman will be aiming to gobble up the Puerto Rican’s WBO welterweight title in an attempt to become the first boxer to win world crowns in seven different—including lineal belts.
“He still needs work on his timing but I’m really happy,” Roach said. “I’m not completely satisfied because he leaned on the ropes too much. His performance today isn’t what’s going to beat Cotto but that’s why we’re here.”
Roach had earlier predicted that Pacquiao would knock Cotto out in their bout slated at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Porter, pressed for a prediction, begged off. Although he made it clear he wasn’t betting against the Filipino.
“Hey, that’s the Pacman,” Porter, who was accompanied by his father and coach Ken to the sparring session, said. “He’s definitely the best of the best.”
Meanwhile, Top Rank chief Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, arrived here Thursday and was greeted by a throng of supporters at the Shape Up boxing gym where the Filipino trains while in this bustling summer capital.
Arum arrived in Manila early morning and flew directly here with former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson.
Pacquiao started his work out by warming up and stretching with Ariza in front of clicking cameras as Roach opened the doors of the gym to the media.
“That’s why he was playing around a bit, putting a show for you guys,” Roach joked.
Pacquiao, who the night before played 10 games of basketball to continue whipping himself into competitive shape, then worked the bags before heading to the ring for four rounds of sparring; two with Porter and with Mexican Urbano Atillano. He then skipped rope before capping his day’s training session with frenetic shadow boxing.
Great sparring partners. Actually, the perfect sparring partners. Porter is gonna be a beast! He's got the right stature to get Manny accustomed to fighting bigger stronger guys, and Henry is almost a mirror image of Cotto in their fighting styles. Especially that left hook!
Initially I thought that training in the Philippines would prevent him from getting the best possible training, but one things for sure, he's got some great sparring partners.
agreed. After how his sparring went with Porter, Freddie Roach officially predicts 8th or 9th round KO. Not trying to jinx anything here, but he said he would KO Hatton within 3 rounds (everyone got a good laugh out of that) and said Pacquiao would not only beat Oscar but he'd stop him (laughs again). Just sayin...
MANILA - Manny Pacquiao, who is in his second week of training in Baguio City, is said to be throwing punches that are getting even stronger while maintaining his speed.
American trainer Freddie Roach told this to ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo, adding that his ward is "punching like a middleweight...and the speed is there."
Pacquiao is set to face World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The catch weight is 145 lbs.
When asked if he thinks this is the hardest Pacquiao is hitting, Roach replied, "Yes by far, 100 percent."
Pacquiao's training at the Shape Up Gym was opened to the media and fans on Thursday. The gym was jampacked as expected.
The world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter did a heavy workout for two and a half hours. Media members, however, were not allowed to cover his four rounds of sparring.
Castillejo reported that Pacquiao's mitts routine with Roach was "quite impressive."
Roach said he is amazed at how quick Pacquiao is getting in shape. He noted that they are ahead of schedule to peak.
The three-time Trainer of the Year recipient predicted once again that Pacquiao will defeat Cotto via knockout.
"Before, I thought the fight might go the distance. Now I'm betting KO," he stated.
agreed. After how his sparring went with Porter, Freddie Roach officially predicts 8th or 9th round KO. Not trying to jinx anything here, but he said he would KO Hatton within 3 rounds (everyone got a good laugh out of that) and said Pacquiao would not only beat Oscar but he'd stop him (laughs again). Just sayin...
I'll never doubt Roach ever again. In Vegas my boys bet 100 on round 1 & 2 against Hatton and got paid. I only bet on the KO. This time i'm puttin $100 on 7,8,9 and a rack on a KO.
"His left hand is like a missile, like a rocket, it has tremendous speed and his power is tremendous," Nacho said about Pacquiao, who will face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on November 14 in Las Vegas.
Beristain also said, "The key to the fight is not only Pacquiao's speed but is also the fact that he has been better with his technique. He is a technical fighter now with speed and power, and that Pacquiao is very difficult to beat. If it was difficult before, imagine now, Cotto will be in a world of trouble when he steps in the ring with Manny.
Michael Koncz, the Canadian adviser of manny pacuiao openly admits to advising Pac to fire his trainer Freddie Roach. In a recent article Koncz had the following to say:
"Roach is not getting the 10 percent on this one," Koncz said. "Manny cut Freddie down by $200,000 so he will get $1 million. They agreed to that."
"It's an unnecessary expense at this juncture of Manny's career. He doesn't need Freddie. Freddie needs Manny."
"I told Manny that he trains himself anyway so why pay Freddie so much money. I am always looking for ways to save Manny money and that expense is unjustified."
Pacquiao should fire Michael Koncz, what a bonehead for saying that. No way pacquiao would ever leave Roach.
If they are concerned with money, they should fire Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, and promote themselves, that way Bob Arum/Top Rank don't get the 15-20% or whatever large chunk of cash he gets from each fight.
Or better yet, stop having the 392,472,934,723,847,237 people that follow Pac around and get paid for various little jobs they may or may not even do, damn leeches. I swear Pacquiao has a bigger, worse posse than MC Hammer did!
^ That is a fucking sick ass video. Kodak moment when Max asked about there being a feeling out process and they both looked at each other and giggled.
damn, Pac is lookin strong right now. If he knocked down Porter, Cotto is in trouble...
Roach predicts KO victory by Pacquiao
By DEXTER A. SEE
October 16, 2009, 6:10pm
MANNY PACQUIAO
MANNY PACQUIAO
BAGUIO CITY — Three-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach here Friday predicted Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao will win his seventh title when he collides with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto next month.
Pacquiao and Cotto will be testing each other’s mettle in a blockbuster title bout on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Manny has been doing excellent work in his training here. We are confident we could finish the fight early to prevent Cotto from getting his second wind.” Roach stressed.
In his latest sparring session late Thursday afternoon, the 30-year-old world champion floored undefeated superwelterweight contender Shawn Porter in the second round of their four-round blistering encounter with a solid left straight to the latter’s jaw.
After knocking down Porter, Pacquiao also virtually mauled two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico as he displayed awesome speed and power.
Pacquiao is on his fourth week of rigid training in this mountain resort city in preparation for the Cotto fight. Team Pacquiao will be breaking camp here on October 23 in order to catch the late evening flight for Los Angeles the following day where he will be entering the Wild Card gym on October 26 for the final stage of his training.
“Manny is nearing his peak form. We are now regulating his training regimen so that he could maintain his excellent performance in the ring until the fight. We already got our game going with the help of his supportive sparring partners,” Roach added.
While admitting that Typhoon Pepeng had a slight effect on the pound for pound king’s roadwork, Roach claimed they are now taking advantage of the good weather to get back lost time although the gym work is way ahead of schedule.
Earlier, Roach predicted Pacquiao will knock out Cotto in either the eighth or ninth round but said the champion’s performance in recent days shows that there will be an early knockout victory for his favorite ward.
Since Cotto is known to be able to get his second wind in the later part of his previous fights, the American trainer claimed Pacquiao will be working aggressively in the early rounds in order to catch the champion off balanced to be assured of a victory.
