From the beautiful Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California, two of the top fighters in the world met to promote their upcoming bout on November 14th, at the MGM Grand in Sin City. What looked more like a black tie affair than a boxing press conference; it was a very classy situation where everyone was dressed to the tee. Reality TV stars and professional athletes such at Ron Artest even came out to get a glimpse of the best fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao and the man he will be fighting, Miguel Cotto. The Filipino media came in droves to get a glimpse of their hometown hero.
Never at a loss for words, Bob Arum conducted the conference and started out by informing the crowd that there were still tickets available and for those who could not make it, the fight would be televised via HBO PPV for 54.99. He also informed the crowd that many athletes from other disciplines, namely the New York Yankees and Giants, and the San Francisco Giants would be in attendance for the fight.
Miguel’s trainer, and father, Miguel Cotto Sr. was short and to the point simply stating that Miguel is ready to win. Freddie Roach had a bit more to say about his fighter, “This is the best fighting the best,” and what seemed to be a jab at MMA, “no sport can overtake boxing when we put together matches of this magnitude.” Roach continued to say, “This will be a harder fight than people think because Miguel is a smart fighter. We are not looking for a knockout but if it comes then it comes. We are going to study his power punches including his trademark left hook and figure out how to use it to our advantage.
Miguel was also short and sweet during his speech. “I will have no excuses; all I am going to do for the next two months is train and focus on how to take the belts back to Puerto Rico.” Part of Cotto’s training will be done in Tampa, Florida.
Pacman was a bit more animated….and long winded during his speech. “I am going to do my very best. I am not the kind of fighter who will predict a win because there is no way to know that. I never understood fighters who made predictions because anything can happen. I am going to do my best to train and focus to gain my seventh belt. I will be training in the Philippines but in an area where I will have no distractions. Then my camp will move to Los Angeles at the Wildcard Gym.”
The much anticipated fight could lead to a perhaps even bigger mega fight pending the result of this weekend’s showdown between former pound for pound great Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. Should all the stars align, we are looking at a match between Mayweather and Pacquiao that could be the biggest battle in recent memory.