By Scott Levinson
Manny Pacquiao has claims to six world championships, but how many are legit?
Manny Pacquiao has won titles in six different weight classes (some incorrectly say five), but which ones are legitimate? Who can really sort through the muddled alphabet-soup mess? Well actually, even in the murky confusion, …

By Doug Fischer
Being a fulltime boxing writer is, for the most part, a great gig.
The athletes I write about for RingTV.com are fascinating — often inspirational — personalities, and some of the events I get to cover are right out of a hardcore fight fan’s dream.
The welterweight showdown between Manny …

While Floyd Mayweather and his minions may disagree, right now, Pacquiao is not only the biggest name in boxing, but also it’s most important figure. Mayweather gets some free gear from Reebok, Pacquiao gets to be a part of a world-wide campaign. And because of it, ’Firepower’ is gaining steam.

” I’ve never seen such a response, forget about the normal boxing sites, I’m talking about outside the general public- Time Magazine, New York Times with a huge Sunday blowout piece. New York Times!!!” exclaimed Bob Arum, who promotes the Filipino icon. ” It’s significant because its reached out- not only to the sports people, but to the general public. People are fascinated by the fight because they’re fascinated with Pacquiao and they know that Cotto is a tremendous obstacle.”

The New York Times covers boxing about as often as the Haley Comet comes around. Time Magazine, not only did a five-page spread, the Asian edition has him on the cover. Arum, has been around superstars for as long as he’s been involved in this business, from Ali, to De La Hoya and now Pacquiao. ’the Golden Boy’, who Pacquiao bludgeoned last December to exponentially increase his popularity, was the last fighter to have any transcendent appeal.

In contrasting the two figures, Arum explained,” De La Hoya, had going for him- in addition to good looks, obviously, and a certain type of charisma- he was an American kid of Hispanic heritage and therefore you could exploit all of that in promoting him. Manny, has been much more difficult because he’s a foreigner, he comes from half-way across the world and he’s not an athlete that the American public would generally seem to cotton to and adopt. But through his body of work and through what people have seen and because he is the kind of kid he is, people are fascinated by him. And that is something that was more of a stretch than it was for Oscar.”

By Ben Thompson
“Manny takes every shot pretty well. Manny's a tough guy. Manny's very tough. People don't understand that. For Manny to come from flyweight and to come up to welterweight and be able to take the kind of punches he takes and deliver the kind of power that he …

By Ben Thompson
“I think Pacman is by far the number one pound-for-pound boxer. I've watched other guys over the last few years and he seems to have that exciting style that basically is untouchable right now…Manny is definitely ready. I think this is his time and I think you guys …

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

By Jay Hova
HBO’s Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7 Episode 3 Recap.
In this episode we learn how Miguel Cotto met his best friend Brian Perez as well as how Manny Pacquiao met his assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez.
In HBO’s award winning reality series Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7 Episode 3 actor Jeremy Piven who is best known as …

By Jake Emen
Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto 24/7 Series Recap of Episode 3!
The third episode of Pacquiao vs. Cotto 24/7 aired on Saturday, November 7 as a part of HBO’s big evening of action including the Dawson vs. Johnson fight. Here’s a recap of Cotto/Pacquiao 24/7 episode 3.The episode …

Chris Arreola (Heavyweight Contender)
I have to go with Pacquiao. Cotto is a great exciting fighter and all that and it has nothing to do with the Margarito fight and people say that took a lot out of him. Pacquiao is the faster fighter and I’m sure he will find a way to win the fight. Nothing against Cotto, I think he is a great fighter, but styles make fights and I think with Pacquiao’s style, he’s going to beat Cotto.

James Bone-Crusher Smith (Former WBA Heavyweight Champion, Fought Tyson & Ruddock)
I like Pacquiao. He’s busy and he can punch and I like his style.

Michael Dokes (Former WBA Heavyweight Champion, fought Bowe, Holyfield & Ruddock)
If I have to take a shot at, I’ll take Pacquiao. I’m going with Pacquiao.

Lloyd Price (American Musician who Introduced Don King to Ali & the Boxing Buisiness)
Pacquiao, he’s a better fighter.

Hear from the boxing training experts themselves as they break down and predict the outcome of this tremendous fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

ANGELO DUNDEE: Trainer of Muhammad Ali, George Foreman & Sugar Ray Leonard.

ANALYSIS
“It’s gonna be a great, great fight. I have seen Cotto train twice now, and he’s a stone cold professional fighter. He was oblivious to the outside world when I saw him training. He’s very focused.

“You have a perfect blending of style in this fight. If I ever had a fighter fighting Pacquiao, I would implement the things that Cotto brings to the table. Certain ingredients that spell Cotto, will give Pacquiao trouble.

“Cotto is a pressure fighter and he’s going to be on Pacquiao from the get go. He’s got a great left hook, he’s a good body puncher and he’s very aggressive. I see a very tough distance fight. There is going to be blood.

Pacquiao takes it to you all the time but in this fight is going to have to back up. He’s a smart, slick, and great hand speed. Cotto counters those things.”

ON THE CORNERS
“Cotto is his own man. He’s a complete and solid pro. Him and his trainer, they look like they get along just fine. Cotto looks like a man possessed. If something goes wrong, yes, the corner has to step in. But as a trainer, you’re only as good as the fighter.

“When the bell rings, Freddie will be in one corner, the two guys will be in the ring. He won’t be able to fight for Manny. If an emergency happens, he’ll be there. The better one will be Freddie in case of an emergency. You’re talking about a guy who has a wealth of experience. You can’t make a comparison.

PREDICTION
“But if you’re looking for an edge, I don’t think the corners will play into the fight. The best guy will win.”

On the heels of his first primetime television appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live and his recognition as a 2009 Gusi Peace Prize laureate, boxing phenom Manny Pacquiao now finds himself on the cover of TIME Magazine Asia edition (see below) as part of a five page feature story on the boxing Champion that will be included in all editions (global and US market) of the magazine hitting newsstands this weekend. With the population of Asia being the largest in the world, Pacquiao is overwhelmed with the idea of so many people seeing his face on the cover of such a prestigious magazine.

“I absolutely had no idea that when I started my career in boxing, to provide a better life for myself and my family, that I would now be where I am today and on the cover of TIME Magazine,” said Pacquiao. “A fighter’s dream is to win a world title and gain financial stability. But what is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life. It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country. I have great pride for all of the Filipinos living throughout the world and it is these people that I fight for each and every time I step into the ring.”

“I think it's the biggest fight of the year. Pacquiao has achieved a status that transcends boxing. Within boxing, I think people started to recognize that he became a modern version of Henry Armstrong, who is one of the great icons of the boxing world. Pacquiao is a phenomenon so anytime he fights, it's big. I don't believe there has been anything this year that has been this anticipated,” stated HBO color commentator Larry Merchant as he shared his thoughts on the much anticipated showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto next Saturday Nov.14th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

RC: Larry, can you give us your thoughts on the big fight between Manny and Miguel? 

LM: Well, I hear that Pacquiao is about a 2 to1 favorite at this point. To me, it's a virtually even fight because Cotto is probably the best fighter he's ever fought in terms of size and being a natural welterweight who's in his prime. Also, being a high quality fighter at the same time. Pacquiao has not been confronted with that. Cotto is also very versatile in the ring; can fight aggressively or a pure boxer's fight. So I think Cotto has a serious chance in this fight, but Pacquiao is Pacquiao and his left-handed sudden power is not like anything else in the game of boxing. Fighters never see it coming, which is always the most dangerous punch. It's conceivable that either the punch or the fear of the punch landing could work in his favor in some fashion. I think it will be more of a tactical fight early on and let's see what happens when they start hitting each other.

RC: On a personal level, is this the most anticipated fight of the year for you?

LM: Oh, I think it's the biggest fight of the year. Pacquiao has achieved a status that transcends boxing. Within boxing, I think people started to recognize that he became a modern version of Henry Armstrong, who is one of the great icons of the boxing world. Pacquiao is a phenomenon so anytime he fights, it's big. I don't believe there has been anything this year that has been this anticipated.

After so many press conferences, there‘s not much left to say. All the good questions have been asked and answered. And asked again and answered again.

So what else is there? It’s late - just over a week until fight night - and if there’s a good question out there that still needs to be asked, no one has heard it. And it might be too late for second chances.

Besides, it’s not like Miguel Cotto is running for office, trying to sway undecided voters to his side just before the midnight hour. You have to figure by now, all the important questions have been asked and sides picked. Most have been asked a dozen times or more, stuff like, “How are you going to deal with Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao’s speed,?” Or, “What have you been working on in the gym?” Or, “How is your weight situation?”

Good questions, but tired questions.

Cotto is not going to convince anyone to come over to his side, not now, not when it’s this close to the Big Night. He must be tired of repeating himself. But that’s part of the fight game and Cotto will play his role in it, quietly and politely answering even the most foolish questions, the ones that have been asked a dozen times already.

If you’re an American fight fan who questions Manny Pacquiao’s ability to become a crossover star in the United States, consider this:

• He was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week.

• This Monday, he will be on the cover of Time magazine’s Asia edition (as a finalist of the “2009 Time 100,” the publication’s list of the world’s most influential people).

• His mug, partially covered by Nike’s new AW77 Hoodie, is on one of the bigger billboards in downtown San Francisco (as part of the sportswear company’s advertising campaign that includes such celebrity-athletes as Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Maria Sharapova).

Still not convinced that the Filipino icon, who challenges Miguel Cotto for the Puerto Rican’s welterweight title on Nov. 14, can become a household name in America?

Allow me to give you one more example of his ever-growing popularity.

During the buildup of WBO welterweight champ Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao, the challenger’s trainer, Freddie Roach, says he’s having fun at the expense of Cotto and his chief cornermen, Joe Santiago.

Cotto “is slower,” and “gets hit so much more” since his 11th-round knockout loss to Antonio Margarito, and “his defense sucks, because he’s training himself,” said Roach.

See what else Roach had to say after the jump.

FanHouse: You’ve been doing an amazing amount of interviews, are these the most you’ve done other than when you were training Mike Tyson?

Freddie Roach: Without a doubt, yes

FH: Is it any more enjoyable?

Roach: Yeah, I’m having fun with it, getting inside Miguel Cotto’s head a little bit, and getting his trainer [Joe Santiago] all upset. It’s a little bit of fun, yeah.

Pound for Pound King Manny Pacquiao returns home to 8CountNews and discusses his big upcoming world title fight against Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao talks about training camp in both the Philippines and Los Angeles. Manny also talks about the recent typhoon that has left so many people suffering, and also touches on his recent appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show. Check out what else the world’s greatest fighter had to say ONLY on 8CountNews.com!

8CN - Manny thanks for joining 8CountNews.

MP - Thanks for inviting me.

8CN - Manny you trained for half of your camp in the PI and the second part in Los Angeles, talk about both places.

MP -Training camp was good. We trained in the Philippines in the high altitude and it was fantastic. We came back to Los Angeles, and everything is ok.

8CN - There was a horrible typhoon over there. Talk about what you have done to help the people that are suffering.

MP - Exactly, there are thousands of people over there that are suffering. I didn’t want to be distracted while training over there, and I wanted to be focused on training. But we went to the evacuation center and gave away a lot of food and gave some money to the foundation to help the people.

By Howard Chua-Eoan and Ishaan Tharoor | Time.com

Manny Pacquiao is going through his throwing motion at Yankee Stadium. With easy deliberation, he shows off the form he says he perfected playing elementary school baseball in the dirt-poor southern Philippines before boxing took him over completely. His shoulder slips back, his torso pitches smoothly forward, left hand and arm torquing an imaginary ball into the depths of the air-conditioned players’ cafeteria, where he is waiting to take the field for an announcement. The diamond stud in his ear catches the light.

The baseball pose has a balletic grace at odds with the savage power that the best pound-for-pound professional boxer on earth exhibits in the ring. “Best pound-for-pound” is the mantra intoned with every story about Pacquiao. It sounds strange because he has never been bound by the laws of physics. In the past eight years, he has risen through six weight divisions to win just as many world championships. At the stadium, his promoters have arranged for the Filipino to make official his plan to fight Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto for a seventh title, the welterweight, which has a maximum limit of 147 lb. (67 kg). That is a 40-lb. swing up from the 106 lb. Pacquiao weighed at the start of his career.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1935091,00.html

Champion Miguel Cotto has a message for challenger Manny Pacquiao as well as those who believe he can be successful during his quest to win a world title in a record seventh, different weight class: “They picked the wrong guy.”

“If he thinks he’s going to reach a seventh title in a seventh different division, he picked the wrong moment, the wrong fighter, and the wrong opponent,” said Cotto, all-but bristling during Thursday’s conference call with the national media.

“If he thinks he’s going to beat Miguel Cotto,” said Cotto, “he’s pretty-much all wrong with that kind of thinking.”

Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts) will defend his WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title against Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at a catchweight of 145 pounds.

Cotto also addressed comments by Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, who has leveled sharp criticism not only at the champion’s skills, but toward his trainer, Joe Santiago’s, ability to direct the fighter.

LAS VEGAS–In my endless search for experts who can forecast the actual outcome of the Nov. 14 Miguel I’m No Angel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao mega bout, I’ve left no stone unturned.

I’ve spoke to cocktail waitresses, to shoemakers, to cabdrivers and to corporate executives. I’ve even spoken to the manager of a sports betting operation in the murder capital which is bloody Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

I can’t say that I have been casting pearls before swine but late Wednesday night I was introduced to a true expert, a fighter who knows both Miguel and his boxing brother, Jose Miguel Cotto, intimately.

You see Mexican journeyman Ubaldo Hernandez (22-19-2), who weighs in at the Palms Casino Thursday for his Friday night PPV TV co feature against another ex-Miguel Cotto foe named Super Zab Judah, has been knocked out by both Cottos and the end in both bouts came in round seven.

According to ringside reports, Hernandez, a native of Mexico City now fighting out of Ft. Myers, Fl., showed grit and determination on Nov. 22, 2002, when he faced Miguel in the ring.

But grinder Cotto wore him down physically, cutting an eye and endlessly hammering away to the head and body to produce a TKO 7 victory.

I asked Hernandez then who will the big bout.

FightHype.com was on hand as explosive pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao held an open workout for the media in attendance at Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California earlier today. Check out how he looks less than 10 days away from his highly-anticipated clash with Miguel Cotto.

At this point I think most know that Manny Pacquiao is one of the most exciting fighters in combat sports. That’s right, not just boxing, but in all of the sports where two people square off to prove who’s best. If you don’t see it this way, you are 1 of 3 types of people:

1. In denial: You are so for Miguel Cotto on November 14th that you refuse to admit that Manny Pacquiao is not only a formidable opponent, but also an exciting customer at the Cotto counter..

2. New to boxing: You have never really been a boxing fan and are just starting to check it out. You peruse a few websites, and have heard of this “Pac-Man”, but figure he’s over-rated, and you’re not going to give in to the hype.

3. A Moron: You are just in general not too bright. You probably mope through life disagreeing with pretty much whatever people say just to make them angry. You are also probably the person that is always in front of me when I’m driving.

My advice is simple;

Denial Guy: I understand how you feel. I have my favorite fighters as well, and I know you just don’t like anyone challenging your man, but please admit to yourself, this is a great fight, between TWO great fighters. Now go put on your Cotto shirt, cross your fingers, and get ready for a solid fight. Trust me, you will live a happier life if you just give in on this (life might be a bit dramatic, but it will make the week and a half easier).

HOLLYWOOD — The joke among journalists huddled around trainer Freddie Roach Tuesday afternoon at the Wild Card gym was that they were betting on Manny Pacquiao stopping Miguel Cotto either in the first, ninth or 10th round.

Anybody hoping to make a little money on the side knows that Roach has been spot on with his predictions concerning the Filipino champion lately.

And “I put a thousand on the first, ninth and 10th rounds,” said Roach.

Pacquiao hunts for Cotto’s WBO welterweight belt on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
and the cerebral Roach believes his ward will snatch the crown from an opponent pasted to the canvas.

“Cotto gets hit early and once we hit him early, we’ll take him down,” Roach said.

Pacquiao, who is tapering off as fight night approaches, fought eight more rounds of sparring with Raul Beltran and Urbano Atillano and Roach hopes to have just 10 more rounds—six on Thursday and four on Saturday—of simulated matches before Team Pacquiao heads for Las Vegas.

This has blowout written all over it. Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) has split his last two big fights. His blood-letting at the mischievous hands of Antonio Margarito took a heavy toll. His narrow, bloody win against Joshua Clottey seemed to confirm suspicions that the Margarito fight had permanently tainted him.

Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is sitting on top of the boxing world. He first moved up to lightweight to obliterate over-matched titlist David Diaz.

He then jumped two divisions to welterweight to thoroughly embarrass the Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya.

And most recently, he sent chills through the spines of even the most sadistic onlookers with his savage starching of Ricky Hatton.

Cotto appears to be on his way down while Pacquiao is flying higher than the stuff that Joaquin Phoenix appears to be on. However, things aren’t often as they appear. Despite Pacquiao’s recent highs and Cotto’s recent lows, I see this fight as a toss-up.