It normally would be chalked up to typical pre-fight hype — a trainer talking big about his boxer and the damage he’s going to inflict against an upcoming opponent. But Freddie Roach has a knack for having his predictions come true.
Earlier this year, Roach said Manny Pacquiao would stop Ricky Hatton in three rounds. The Englishman was knocked cold in the second. Now Roach is saying Pacquiao will knock out Miguel Cotto when the two face each other Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“I feel that Manny — with the way he’s punching right now, with the power he has at this weight — he’s going to knock Cotto out I feel,” Roach said this week. “I’m very confident, and I look forward to the win.”
It’s a different forecast than Roach predicted when the pay-per-view bout was announced this summer at Yankee Stadium. He said then he was preparing for the fight to go the distance, because Cotto is a dangerous power puncher. Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) is perceived as the bigger fighter, a
natural welterweight, who has agreed to a 145-pound catch-weight to face Pacquiao, who has to eat five meals a day just to stay above 140.
But after watching tape of the Puerto Rican star, Roach is growing more confident Cotto will not be able to hold up against the Filipino’s speed and power.
“He’s punching so much harder than he ever has,” Roach said of Pacquiao, who is looking to win Cotto’s WBO welterweight title. “He’s really getting used to the weight. He’s punching faster and harder. I just think Miguel Cotto’s defense isn’t good enough. He’s hittable, and people that Manny can hit, he knocks out.”
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) began training in Los Angeles this week after spending more than a month in the Philippines, where two typhoons ravaged the country. The first typhoon forced Pacquiao to train strictly indoors, replacing his roadwork with indoor swimming exercises.
A humanitarian with political aspirations, Pacquiao spent an off-day during his training camp in Baguio City to distribute aid to his countrymen. He also made a substantial financial donation to relief efforts.
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The 13th annual Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation Dinner will be held Nov. 19 at the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island. A long list of celebrities from the athletic and entertainment industries are expected to attend.
Tickets are priced at $200 with tables available from $5,000 to $2,800. Call (201) 293-2606 or visit www.dratlasfoundation.com for more information. Proceeds from the “Teddy Dinner” go to the foundation, which offers financial and emotional support to individuals and organizations in need.
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Showtime will televise a boxing doubleheader at 9 tonight from Las Vegas with IBF bantamweight champ Joseph Agbeko defending against Yonnhy Perez and Antonio DeMarco fighting Jose Alfaro for the WBC interim lightweight championship.
george.willis@nypost.com
Source: nypost.com
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