|
|
|
PACQUIAO-COTTO: A THROWBACK ... 1800'S By Hermie Rivera PhilBoxing.com Mon, 02 Nov 2009 Los Angeles,CA.---Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao is back at his Hollywood camp raining blows on a fresh batch of sparmates in a bid to beat Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization welterweight title. Gunning for a seventh crown, the Pacman was flawless (Thursday's session) unleashing uppercuts mixed with hooks and straights. Halloween eve (Saturday) saw a more fervid Pacquiao in his drills, executing well for 12 rounds to conclude the hard phase of his shortened grind that began in Baguio and soon to close out at the Hollywood Wildcard sweatshop. Challenging Puerto Rico's Cotto before his re-entry to the murky world of politics, Pacquiao displayed his vaunted speed and power which pleased his handlers led by Freddie Roach. To say nothing of the strategem employed by Roach in handling the disorder of his ward's preparation for the November 14 Las Vegas slugfest. "It's the best showing of Manny since he started sparring. It brought out the needed response from Porter, Halloway and Beltran" crowed conditioning guru Alex Ariza, adding that Manny is now walking at 149 pounds---four over the agreed catchweight of 145 lbs. Manny eases up on the days left before the fight, plotting moves to bolster his tender for a historic seventh world division title---a feat that's unrealized since man invented the Sweet Science. I don't know if you can read it any other way but Pacquiao's work plan in whipping his sparring partners attest to a deadly form he'll utilize against Cotto. Betting odds remain constant in favor of Pacquiao. Cotto's numbers expected to rise once he hits Vegas. Give it to Top Rank's Bob Arum who moved fast to clinch the Paquiao/Cotto deal. Faster than anyone who can holler U N C L E --- thus---a year-ending wonder at MGM's Grand Arena. It happens each time the Pinoy Idol laces up for a match with all the euros (read that dollars) thrown in. Here we have an evenly paired match-up starring two outstanding warriors aching to resolve the fight of their lives. Who needs it more? Who's the hungrier or angrier? Pacquiao or Cotto? Your call. My bet? A few ducats for the quintessential Filipino Hero. Top photo: Pacquiao (L) and Cotto during their San Francisco promotional stop. Photo by Hermie Jay Rivera Jr. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Hermie Rivera. |
|
PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general. Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com |
PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
developed and maintained by dong secuya © 2024 philboxing.com. |