MANILA (AFP) - Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has overcome disruptions from typhoons and landslides while training in the Philippines to be in ideal shape ahead of his big bout with Miguel Cotto, his trainer said.
"He is right where I want him to be, perfect," Freddie Roach told AFP on Thursday evening after the six-time world-champion completed a heavy workout that included 10 rounds of sparring in a Manila gym.
Pacquiao will head to the United States on the weekend after an intense five weeks of training in his home country, during which more than 1,000 people died in natural disasters.
Pacquiao was even forced to move camps from the cool mountain resort of Baguio to the sweaty capital of Manila after storms claimed hundreds of lives in and around the hill station, then a typhoon threatened more damage there.
But Roach insisted the disasters had not impacted his 30-year-old protege, who stunned the world with victories over American great Oscar de la Hoya last year and Britain's Ricky Hatton in May.
"We didn't let it affect our training. We worked right through it and never missed a day," Roach said of the storms.
"So it was a great training camp in Baguio."
Pacquiao is a deeply religious man and a hero to virtually everyone in the Southeast Asian nation. But Roach said Pacquiao had remained completely committed to his training despite the disasters going on around him.
"One hundred percent. No problem at all. It's been a really good training camp. He's been focused from day one, throughout," he said.
Pacquiao will travel to Los Angeles for two weeks of training ahead of his November 14 fight against Cotto, the 27-year-old Puerto Rican who is looking to snatch the Filipino's status as best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Cotto, the WBO welterweight champion, is a huge underdog for the 145-pound bout at the MGM Grand hotel and casino in Las Vegas.
But his trainer, Joe Santiago, said this week he was confident of an upset.
"When that night comes and he wins, everyone will know that Puerto Rico does have the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world," Santiago said from Cotto's training camp at the Fight Factory Gym in Tampa, Florida.
"Cotto is the first true welterweight that (Pacquiao) will have fought in his career. He is young and still in his prime so that is what Pacquiao is facing."




Comment 1 - 4 of 4
You can't become a pound for pound king just by beating the current king. It comes as a result of a few great fights with the right mix of business and boxing. I hope Manny takes this but it will be tough. Mayweather Jr should face both these guys in the future. Bring on a super six in the welterweight division!
November 14th,the D-day for Cameroon to book a ticket for the World Cup in South Africa
& ofcourse the day Cotto gonna put Pacman on his canvas.
Pacman....you had your moments, but trust my words: Cotto will come out to be one of the toughest opponents you ever met in a ring.I know the Hatton's elimination still makes you excited as one of the welterweight's King, but I have 65-35 chances that Miguel Cotto will win this upcoming fight.We the fans hope to watch a great fight.
Over baby Pac you can go run for President and star in a few more movies bc Cotto will make sure you retire after the 14th. Too much power for the tiny man and I'm sry for those who claim Pac Man's speed bc Mosley had speed too and Cotto got the best of him. Like the story says Cotto will be the first true welterweight test since Oscar had to drop almost 20 pounds and Ricky was already washed up and a junior welterweight.
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