PACQUIAO VS. COTTO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Posted on | November 11, 2009 | No Comments

Manny Pacquiao

“I have more than one plan going into this fight. “Master” Freddie Roach has me well and I am prepared for anything Miguel Cotto has to offer. I have studied all his tapes, and I feel like I know him like I know myself. It’s going to be a great fight between two great fighters.

“I feel stronger at this weight than I ever have. My punches are harder, my speed is intact. I keep getting warned about Cotto’s body attack. Cotto should be worried about my body attack.

“We trained hard, I did my best. And I studied hard for my opponent’s style. I’m ready.

“This fight is the most important fight of my boxing career because if I win, I think it’s history in boxing and history in the Philippines, and because it’s a big honor to my family and myself.

“I want the people to enjoy this fight and to give them enjoyment Saturday night. On Saturday, may the best man win. There are no excuses not to fight well on Saturday.

The Filipino people are cheering for me, and I will do my best for them.

“I would like to thank Freddie, my master, my master in boxing.

“To all the people around the world, I hope you tune in. It’s going to be a great fight. It’s a once in a lifetime fight.”

Miguel Cotto

“I’m pretty happy to be here. I’m pretty comfortable to be here. I have trained a lot, like never before, because I know the skills of Manny.

“We created a game plan for the fight. We are sure it’s going to be a great fight for boxing, but especially for the Latino fans, and for the Puerto Ricans around the world.

“I know what I’m capable of doing, and there is no doubt in my mind that I’m going to win this fight.

“I’ve prepared for the best Manny Pacquiao, the fastest Manny Pacquiao, and I will be ready for anything he brings in to the ring.

“This is one of the best camps I have ever had, because I know that I will be facing one of the top guys in boxing. I’m not worried about Manny’s speed, but he should be worried about Miguel Cotto’s power.

“Chavez (Cotto’s cut man) was the factor in the Clottey win. His experience from all those years in the sport helped us fight night.

“Since Phil (Landman) came to camp, he has always come with a lot of things to work on, like nutrition and strength training. Phil, as you saw in the last fight, made me much better. Our corner is stronger, and we work better than before.

(On the Margarito fight)

“That was a chapter from the past, and we have a new chapter with Pacquiao. In the beginning, you get used to winning, and losing is hard, but those things that came out after made me feel better about the fight.”

Freddie Roach (Pacquiao’s Trainer)

“We had a great training camp. Manny is 100 percent… We are in great shape and I have never seen my fighter looking better. Miguel, good luck to you and we’ll see you Saturday.

“Going in I thought 147 would be Manny’s limit, but after this training camp I don’t know where his boundaries end.

“We had great sparring, one of the best ever. Shawn Porter worked out really well…Porter hurt him one time. During the next combination Manny dropped him.

“He’s (Pacquiao) a different type of person. He wants to better his country and his people…And there is no stage too big for Manny.

“Pacquiao’s a much better defensive fighter than he’s ever been.

“Manny’s character is to exchange at times. So we will exchange. We will get hit. There will be a lot of action.

“I expect Manny to come in around 149 on fight night. For Cotto, I expect him to be at 160.

“I really hope that he (Cotto) comes in early and tries to show his strength…the first round is big. We can’t give him momentum. We can’t give him confidence.

“I respect Miguel, but he’ll get knocked out in this one.

“People ask when we’ll see the next Pacquiao. They only come around once in a lifetime.

Joe Santiago (Cotto’s Trainer)

“Miguel is the best he has ever been, and I hope that Manny Pacquiao will be at the same level. We are only three days away from the fight, and it will be a great victory for Puerto Rico. Good luck to Manny, you’re going to need it. And thank you everyone for coming.”

Bob Arum

“Cotto is the biggest obstacle in Manny’s path. He’s a true welterweight, a strong welterweight, with a heart as big as this room. And when the bell rings, there won’t be one legend in the ring, but two great fighters, fighting for their people and their country. And Cotto will acquit himself like he always has, and show he is one of the best in the world today.

“Manny Pacquiao has meant a lot to the sport of boxing. Remember that boxing has generally played to a relatively small audience, boxing fans, and sports fans. Generally it has happened that way. But this Time Magazine cover shows you that the world, that people who are usually not interested in sports, are interested in Manny, his story, and his country of the Philippines. It’s great for Manny, but it is even better for the sport of boxing.

“He was a poor boy that has worked his way up, and now has beaten all the fighters that have been put in front of him. Manny has stayed loyal and has stayed humble.”

Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas

“Thank you for being here in the city of Las Vegas. It’s a great town and it’s a great week having two terrific fighters come into our town, bringing excitement, and bringing their families and friends from around the world, all coming in to watch this great event.

“I have a special award that I would like to give you to both of you (Pacquiao and Cotto). That you’re in our community and that you are representing the Philippines and Puerto Rico. We care about the fact that you are great humanitarians and great people.

“This afternoon I would like to present you with the key to the city of Las Vegas. We give this to you with a great deal of affection, because this is a very special award, and a very special city. And now we present you with key to the city of Las Vegas.”

# # #

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

HBO Sports’ all-access reality series “24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” returns with the premiere of the finale on Friday, Nov. 13 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. HBO will replay episodes #1, #2 and #3 consecutively prior to the premiere of episode #4. The replays begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Nov. 13. Episodes #1-3 are also available on HBO ON DEMAND.