New York .- Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao bearly just looked at eachother in their meeting on the field at Yankee Stadium. And when they spoke, there was much less insults and predictions of knockout.
But the Puerto Rican champion made it clear that he is not impressed with the trajectory of the Filipino fighter and it is he who has the upper hand when they meet in the ring on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"Pacquiao was better than Oscar de la Hoya, who was in the final stages of his career and was better than Ricky Hatton, who was an overrated fighter. But now he will face Miguel Cotto, a person who is 28, a person that knowns to move in the ring and knows boxing, "Cotto said in an aside to reporters after the press conference that launched the promotional tour combat and bring them Saturday Fine Arts Center of Caguas.
The press conference yesterday, in the field of the new Yankee Stadium in New York in the Bronx, was the first public meeting of the Puerto Rican champion and Filipino fighter since the contract was signed for the fight that could define who is pound for pound best fighter in the world.
The expectation that causes the shock was felt inside the majestic stadium, where hundreds of fans, mostly Puerto Ricans, gathered to support the fighter of your choice. Even, both fighters wore shirts pinstripes. The promoter Bob Arum, meanwhile, could not stop laughing.
Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), welterweight champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) will defend the title when he faces Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), a six times world champion in a weight of 145 pounds. Despite being younger and looking stronger than Pacquiao, Cotto was disadvantaged bookmakers yesterday in Las Vegas to an average of 2-1 (Pacquiao, 240; Cotto 200).
But none of that intimidates the Puerto Rican champion.
"He comes to my division, and he comes from 126 pounds. If you think you will be stronger than someone coming from 147, I think he is wrong, "said Cotto.
Similarly, he said he is ready to handle the speed of Pacquiao.
"When you have a good defense, regardless of speed that has the opponent can block this speed. People said the same about the fight with Zab Judah, and especially with Shane Mosley, and they lost against me. People might see things that had not seen Miguel Cotto and I will work with that, "he said.
Miguel Cotto, father, put the ****e
The only "sink" of the press conference put Miguel Cotto, father, who launched an attack Paquiao coach, Freddie Roach.
"Since we started working, and we urge Mr. Roach to do the same with their fighter. This will have no excuses when his fighter lost on 14 November, "said the older Cotto, while that caused euphoria in the Puerto Rican fans.
Pacquiao was all quiet
Meanwhile, Pacquiao with his usual serenity outside the ring, this fight took on importance beyond its other big fights against De La Hoya and Hatton.
"It's a bigger fight because Cotto is bigger asset for Puerto Rico and there are many people who support him and follows him," said the boxer 30 years.
Although considered pound for pound king refused to reveal the weaknesses identified in Cotto, it hinted that his victory over De La Hoya, a rival who also had a lead-in bulk and height gives you the confidence to succeed against the Puerto Rican.
"De La Hoya is bigger than Cotto and accomplished many things in boxing. But I do not underestimate Cotto is also a great fighter and champion, here I am only the challenger for his belt, so I have to train hard to take her, "said Pacquiao.
"Right now I'm very excited about the fight. Expectations are high and I am responsible for people's enjoyment, "the" Pacman "who begin their training next week.
But the Puerto Rican champion made it clear that he is not impressed with the trajectory of the Filipino fighter and it is he who has the upper hand when they meet in the ring on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"Pacquiao was better than Oscar de la Hoya, who was in the final stages of his career and was better than Ricky Hatton, who was an overrated fighter. But now he will face Miguel Cotto, a person who is 28, a person that knowns to move in the ring and knows boxing, "Cotto said in an aside to reporters after the press conference that launched the promotional tour combat and bring them Saturday Fine Arts Center of Caguas.
The press conference yesterday, in the field of the new Yankee Stadium in New York in the Bronx, was the first public meeting of the Puerto Rican champion and Filipino fighter since the contract was signed for the fight that could define who is pound for pound best fighter in the world.
The expectation that causes the shock was felt inside the majestic stadium, where hundreds of fans, mostly Puerto Ricans, gathered to support the fighter of your choice. Even, both fighters wore shirts pinstripes. The promoter Bob Arum, meanwhile, could not stop laughing.
Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), welterweight champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) will defend the title when he faces Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), a six times world champion in a weight of 145 pounds. Despite being younger and looking stronger than Pacquiao, Cotto was disadvantaged bookmakers yesterday in Las Vegas to an average of 2-1 (Pacquiao, 240; Cotto 200).
But none of that intimidates the Puerto Rican champion.
"He comes to my division, and he comes from 126 pounds. If you think you will be stronger than someone coming from 147, I think he is wrong, "said Cotto.
Similarly, he said he is ready to handle the speed of Pacquiao.
"When you have a good defense, regardless of speed that has the opponent can block this speed. People said the same about the fight with Zab Judah, and especially with Shane Mosley, and they lost against me. People might see things that had not seen Miguel Cotto and I will work with that, "he said.
Miguel Cotto, father, put the ****e
The only "sink" of the press conference put Miguel Cotto, father, who launched an attack Paquiao coach, Freddie Roach.
"Since we started working, and we urge Mr. Roach to do the same with their fighter. This will have no excuses when his fighter lost on 14 November, "said the older Cotto, while that caused euphoria in the Puerto Rican fans.
Pacquiao was all quiet
Meanwhile, Pacquiao with his usual serenity outside the ring, this fight took on importance beyond its other big fights against De La Hoya and Hatton.
"It's a bigger fight because Cotto is bigger asset for Puerto Rico and there are many people who support him and follows him," said the boxer 30 years.
Although considered pound for pound king refused to reveal the weaknesses identified in Cotto, it hinted that his victory over De La Hoya, a rival who also had a lead-in bulk and height gives you the confidence to succeed against the Puerto Rican.
"De La Hoya is bigger than Cotto and accomplished many things in boxing. But I do not underestimate Cotto is also a great fighter and champion, here I am only the challenger for his belt, so I have to train hard to take her, "said Pacquiao.
"Right now I'm very excited about the fight. Expectations are high and I am responsible for people's enjoyment, "the" Pacman "who begin their training next week.
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