BOXING:

Freddie Roach talks tough; Manny Pacquiao backs it up

Boxing trainer a master of getting under the other guy’s skin, says he’ll take any advantage he can get

Steve Marcus

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines hits a double-end bag during a workout at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. Pacquiao will challenge WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico for the title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 14.

By Jeff Haney (contact)

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Manny Pacquiao workout

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

Pacquiao Prepares for Cotto

Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player

Manny Pacquiao prepares for his fight with Miguel Cotto.

Who: Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) vs. Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs)
What: 12-round welterweight title fight
When: Nov. 14
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena
Tickets: Sold out
TV: HBO pay-per-view, $54.95

Reader poll

Miguel Cotto turns up heat readying for Manny Pacquiao (11-6-2009)
Don’t sleep on Manny Pacquiao, trainer warns (10-30-2009)
Manny Pacquiao happy with Philippines camp, now in U.S. training (10-28-2009)
Cotto faces test of size, sizzle (10-22-2009)
Pacquiao vs. Cotto on the minds of fight fans (9-23-2009)
Pacquiao-Cotto set for Nov. 14 at MGM (7-20-2009)
Pacquiao-Cotto tentatively set for Nov. 14 in Las Vegas (6-15-2009)
Cotto ready for Pacquiao, anybody (6-14-2009)
Mosley trying to finalize deal with Pacquiao (6-3-2009)
Boxing/UFC/MMA coverage

Los Angeles — Freddie Roach has earned a reputation as boxing’s finest trainer. More than this, in recent years Roach has become a master of psychological gamesmanship.

Roach has developed a knack for making just the right remark to get into the heads of his opposition before a fight, for playing those mind games — “pushing the barriers, planting seeds,” as ringside color commentator John Lennon put it.

“Freddie is an expert psychologist,” promoter Bob Arum said. “He fires these shots hoping to get under the guy’s skin, and he has an advantage because he was a competitive fighter himself. He had a long series of fights and he knows all about head games.”

Before a training session this week with Manny Pacquiao at his Wild Card Boxing Club, Roach said he took up the psyche-out game in earnest last year. He enjoyed matching wits with Oscar De La Hoya — and believes he got the best of the Golden Boy — in the buildup to Pacquiao’s fight with De La Hoya last December.

Roach followed by scoring a unanimous decision in a battle of words with Ricky Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., leading up to Pacquiao’s next fight.

“For the Oscar fight, it worked so well, and I got in his head so much,” Roach said. “I’ll take any advantage I can get.”

During preparations for Pacquiao’s fight with Miguel Cotto set for Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand — first in Pacquiao’s native Philippines, later back in Southern California at the Wild Card — Roach caused a minor stir in Cotto’s camp by predicting a knockout victory for Pacquiao.

Originally Roach said the knockout would come in the first round. Later he amended the projection to a ninth-round knockout of Cotto, who has only one loss in his splendid pro career.

Cotto and his team insist they don’t care what Roach says. On a conference call Thursday, Cotto sounded as if he had had enough.

“Forget about Freddie Roach,” he said, the volume of his voice rising perhaps a fraction of a decibel — which for the even-tempered Cotto is paramount to a Lee Elia-style rant.

Roach thinks that like the Player Queen, Camp Cotto is protesting too much.

“Why would they talk about it unless it’s bothering them?” Roach said. “I’m in their heads.”

In studying video of Cotto’s previous fights, Roach said he spotted several fundamental flaws in Cotto’s style that Pacquiao will be able to exploit.

“No one is correcting them, and we’re going to take advantage of that,” Roach said. “I love this fight for Manny Pacquiao. I’m very confident in my guy.”

Pacquiao stayed on course during the Philippines portion of training camp, Roach said, even as typhoons devastated much of the archipelago.

Viewed as a national treasure in his native land, Pacquiao emerged in top-notch fighting shape despite demands on his time from various Filipino politicians.

Pacquiao went 16 rounds without a break with Roach on the mitts Monday at the Wild Card, and he sparred eight rounds Tuesday at the gym.

“One thing about the Philippines, they’re having a tough time right now because of the typhoons and so forth,” Roach said. “You know what? (Pacquiao) knows his people need motivation and something to smile about and he’s going to give that to them ...

“It’s going to be a positive for us. That’s the way we’re going to use it.”

Pacquiao weighed 148 to 149 pounds this week, with Cotto checking in at 150. The Nov. 14 fight, in which Cotto risks his WBO welterweight belt and Pacquiao will seek a title in a seventh weight class, is scheduled to take place at a “catch weight” of 145 pounds, two pounds below the welterweight limit.

“Manny’s a much bigger, stronger guy than he was last fight,” Roach said. “This is going to be an easy fight for us.”

Asked if he agreed with his trainer’s assessment, Pacquiao smiled, but then made the zipped-lips gesture by drawing his finger across his mouth.

The message was clear. He lets Roach handle the brazen predictions, the comments that make headlines — the mind games.

“My mouth is closed,” Pacquiao said.

Speaking softly in a tiny dressing room off the main floor at the Wild Card before a workout, Pacquiao, a Catholic, said he thanks God every day for his success — “the fame, the wealth, everything.”

He’s not worried about Cotto’s more muscular frame, his potent punching ability, or his vicious left hook.

“It’s not about comparing the power,” Pacquiao said. “Sometimes what’s in the mind, the knowledge, is the power.”

Pacquiao said his father, Rosalio, will be at the MGM to watch him fight for the first time in America next Saturday. His mother, Dionisia, will also attend.

He said he feels a responsibility to the sport that goes beyond himself and his family.

“You have to make people like the way you fight,” he said. “Not just Filipinos, but people all over the world who watch the fight. I want them to be satisfied.”

Discussion: 10 comments so far…

By yummychorizo

11/7/09 at 2:40 a.m.

Suggest removal

7 days to go... i cant wait. it seems both guys are 100 percent ready. May the best man win.
By jca

11/7/09 at 4:58 a.m.

Suggest removal

Roach has really reconfigure Manny's Boxing style down through the years. There was a time when Manny was reckless but not anymore. Not only has he devolop physically, but also has become a complete boxer. He has learned patience as in the case of the Diaz and Dela Hoya fight. Endurance as in the Marquez fights and the ability to be a good student and learner in the ever evolving sweet science as in the case of Hatton. I cannot wait to see what Roach has in store for the up and coming fight and how Manny will execute this "new technique" exclusively for Cotto.
By oneatoe

11/7/09 at 8:35 a.m.

Suggest removal

The day after a Manny Pacquiao victory is like the day after you passed a board exam, or the day you became a father, or the day after you married the love of your life.. you feel happy.. you feel proud! GO PACMAN!
By JerseyReb

11/7/09 at 6:52 p.m.

Suggest removal

I CANNOT wait to see this fight. Pacquiao has really evolved from a somewhat careless brawler into a serious threat in multiple weight classes. He has accomplished so much and I'm excited to see what else he could do. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Cotto though. The man is a beast and he could fight. Just don't see him as that much of a threat since the Margarito fight. He did NOT look as dangerous last June against Clottey. I actually thought it was closer than it was scored. Nonetheless, the guy still has heart. And as a Pacquiao fan, we all know that can take you a long way. Here's to spending my 50 some odd bucks on a fight worth watching (unlike the waste between PBF/JMM)
By FC7711

11/8/09 at 5:29 a.m.

Suggest removal

Pac-Man has bitten off more tha nhe can chew this time. Cotto is an excellent boxer and a junk-yard dog of a fighter. As much as I like Pac-Man, I see Cotto taking Manny out in this fight. Maybe early, maybe late, but it will happen, Cotto is just too much fighter for Pacquiao.
By vegasfun01

11/8/09 at 4:24 p.m.

Suggest removal

Cotto will knock out Pacquiao in round 7.
By cyberkiosk

11/8/09 at 4:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

Difference between Mayweather and Pacquiao (just my 2 cents)

Pacquiao: "You have to make people like the way you fight," he said. "Not just Filipinos, but people all over the world who watch the fight. I want them to be satisfied."

Mayweather: "I fight for braggin rights. I fight for checks"
or his latest againt R.A. The Rugged Man
"Legacy don't pay bills"
By cyberkiosk

11/8/09 at 4:37 p.m.

Suggest removal

*against
By vtdizon

11/8/09 at 6:10 p.m.

Suggest removal

"I got you under my skin." hmmmm looks like cotto is liking the song of Frank Sinatra. Go Pacman! Go for 7! :D
By isidro

11/8/09 at 6:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

The way Pacquiao and Freddie are working together ,they can run a big corporation together.Freddie the thinker and Pacquiao the doer.However the ability to absorb and execute any plan will be up to Manny, specially that he won't be accompanied by Roach in the ring.So the tandem is solid for the very same reason; same mind frequency for both...to "win".
Not to mention thanking the Almighty GOD at all times.
Getting to on someone's, skin is like a priest during mass sermon ,parishioners are reminded but in a solemn way, but the truths hurts and every one are heartly affected.

« Previous Ten Next Ten »

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question