Friday, November 13, 2009

Critics: Cotto mentally unprepared for fight with Pacquiao

An interesting article on Cotto's condition before the fight:

Barely a week before Miguel Cotto climbs into the ring to face Manny Pacquiao in their "Firepower" match on Nov. 14, in Las Vegas, boxing critics say the Puerto Rican boxer is unprepared for the biggest fight in his boxing career.
WBO Champion Miguel Cotto seems unprepared for his Nov. 14 date with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Nevada, critics say. Barely a week before fight night, Cotto is struggling with a number of major distractions while his handlers are doing the finishing touches for his last leg of training before he collides with the pound for-pound king. The latest of these distractions is a report by popular sportswriter Joaquin Henson of Philstar.com regarding the case filed in court by Evangelista Cotto, the boxer's uncle and former trainer, for damages amounting to $7.5 million.
Tempers flared when Cotto wanted to move his training camp from Caguas to Tampa, Florida, against Evangelista’s wishes. They scuffled, leaving Cotto’s uncle with a broken nose and busted ribs. Evangelista said he was “brutally attacked” and suffered “serious injuries.” He filed a $7.5 million suit for damages, mainly for breach of contract, secondarily for injuries and “emotional stress” from the brawl.
The case stemmed from a near-violent encounter between Miguel Cotto and his uncle Evangelista which led to a bloody ending. It was reported that trouble started when Cotto started to move his training to Tampa Florida against the wishes of his uncle Evangelista. Cotto's actions led to the termination of the services of his uncle. Another distraction which made boxing fans believe Cotto is ill-prepared for the Nov. 14 encounter with Pacquiao is recurring news Cotto has become a damaged fighter after his brutal defeat against Antonio Margarito of Mexico who inflicted so much punishment on the Puerto Rican boxer. A former member of Team Cotto who is now working in Team Pacquiao was quoted to have said, "Cotto is a damaged fighter." Cotto is denying that his devastating loss to Margarito badly affected his performance as a boxer. The handlers of Margarito were reported to have allegedly inserted illegal wraps into the gloves of the Mexican boxer, which caused his devastating loss. There are also persistent reports Cotto is struggling with his Tampa team led by Joe Santiago who took over from his uncle Evangelista as trainer and coach. And still another distraction concerning the boxers ex-wife (now reconciled) and children appeared to be affecting the psychological preparedness of the Puerto Rican boxer. It was earlier reported that Cotto's uncle resented the boxer's way of handling his family affairs. Cotto has a daughter by another woman. Miguel Cotto has fought twice since his devastating loss to Margarito and won both fights. He was sluggish in his fight with Joshua Clottey of Ghana and nearly lost the fight, prompting critics to say that he is no longer the same powerful puncher that he was before his fight with Margarito. Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will collide in their "Firepower" match on Nov. 14 at the GM Grand garden arena in Las Vegas Nevada.




see more from here http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/281833

Hollywood celebs weigh in on Pacman's upcoming fight

An article about Manny's fame... 

CEBU, Philippines - Obviously, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao’s star has grown bigger and brighter in Hollywood. First, there was the guesting on the hit primetime program, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with a song number as an extra treat. Celebrities also continue dropping in and watching him getting ready at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles. Expect more A-listers to come out on his fight night against Miguel Cotto on November 14.
Hollywood celebs also weighed in their thoughts on the upcoming fight in HBO’s The Buzz. For controversial heavy weight champion of the world “Iron” Mike Tyson, “It’s PacMan.” Rap mogul P. Diddy, for his part, said, “If Cotto can reconnect to the way he was three years ago, he may give Pacquiao problems. Soap star Mark Consuelos is also rooting for the Pacman, “I’m sorry, the Filipino is going to win.”
Welter weight champion Shane Mosley said, “It’s going to be an interesting fight, and I think Pacquiao better take him seriously.” WWE Super Star Triple H, on the other hand, said, “Not that Cotto’s going to be an easy win, but I think Pacquiao’s going to beat him. “True Blood” actor Sam Trammel opined: “I’m going to have to go with Pacquiao man. I saw his last fight, and he’s just out of control.” For Oscar nominee, Mickey Rourke, “I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park. He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter.”



see more from here: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=521749&publicationSubCategoryId=51