Miguel Cotto is oozing with confidence these days. He believes that his 3-month preparation is more than enough to topple down the reigning pound-for-pound champ, Manny Pacquiao.

“This is probably the best training I've ever had,” said Cotto, who will stake his World Boxing Organization title against Pacquiao who is now considered today's King of the Ring.

Highly Motivated

Cotto's training camp in Tampa, Florida is evidently showing how much motivation team Cotto has given to help the Puerto Rican champ get in shape.

There's a streamer of "PACQUIAO ON TARGET" hanging on the gym's wall. The streamer is also carrying the text, "On November 14 the world will witness who will be the new king of the ring.” Even Cotto's punching bags have Pacquiao pictures drawn on them to help the Puerto Rican champ familiarize and psyche himself up against his opponent.

Boxing greats on Cotto's side

Even boxing greats are favoring Cotto. Former three-division champion and fellow Puerto Rican Felix “Tito” Trinidad said he is certain that Cotto will upset the current pound-for-pound king. Which he thinks has never faced a “natural welterweight” like Cotto.

"On the night of the fight, Pacquiao will still not be a full welterweight. And Cotto is very strong,” said Trinidad in El Nuevo Dia as quoted by Mark Vester of BoxingScene.com.

He also added, “As the fight plays out, around rounds 7, 8, 9 is when Cotto starts taking over. I think Cotto will win [by] decision but he might even get a knockout. With all of my heart I think Miguel Cotto will win.”

Angelo Dundee, the legendary trainer of boxing great Muhammad Ali, thinks Pacquiao is not taking home the win this time.

“The style, I think his style is going to mess with Pacquiao. I think he's going to nail Pacman with some shots he's never been hit before,” Dundee said.

But let us also not forget that Dundee made similar predictions prior to the Pacquiao’s matches against Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Pacquiao, invincible as he was on both fights, disproved Dundee.

Roach refutes

Freddie Roach, meanwhile, refutes Cotto's chances against Pacquiao, size advantage notwithstanding.

Roach said it is irrelevant whether or not Cotto makes the 145-pound catch weight limit. “He can weigh whatever he wants. Manny will kick his butt at any weight,” Roach told David Tyler in a recent interview at DoghouseBoxing.com.

He also pointed out that the disparity in size between Pacquiao and Cotto is not “that big”, belieng the notion that the Puerto Rican will step into the ring a “giant”.

“They are a half inch apart. When you look at the pictures of them together, they look very similar in height and weight,” Roach added.

The Trainer of the Year coach, who has scrutinized Cotto’s fighting style even before the Pacquiao-Cotto match was officially announced, said he knows the WBO champ’s weakness. And on this weakness, they are basing Pacquiao's strategy.

“I know him (Cotto) better than he knows himself at this point,” Roach remarked.

“Strength and height does not win fights, ability wins fights. Manny is a better boxer than Cotto,” he said.

Roach also boldly predicted that Manny will score a first-round knockout against Cotto. He said, “He is very hittable. Any fighter going up against Manny Pacquiao that is hittable will not last long.”

Roach also noted that Cotto’s longer training period does not guarantee victory for the Puerto Rican. “However, it will be a good excuse when he loses the fight. His group will say they overtrained for the fight,” added Roach.



Miguel Cotto training. Behind the scenes footage in Las Vegas as HBO shoots for the 24/7 series. Firepower - Pacquiao Vs Cotto - Nov 14th 2009 MGM Grand Las Vegas.