PACQUIAO VS. COTTO-QUOTES FROM OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

Posted on | November 13, 2009 | No Comments

LAS VEGAS (November 13, 2009) – Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto stepped onto the scales earlier today, weighing in at 144 lbs and 145 lbs respectively, in front of a full house and ruckus crowd of 6,500 fans, with 3,000 more watching in the MGM Grand lobby and Sports Book. Both fighters could not have been happier that the “weight” is over and the countdown is on with just over 24 hours to go before they meet in the ring for FIREPOWER: PACQUIAO VS COTTO. The championship bout takes place tomorrow, Saturday, November 14, at MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Pacquiao ran a little late for his arrival because he had to eat lunch before heading to the arena. Here is what both fighters said immediately after weighing in.

MANNY PACQUIAO

“Speed conquers all but I also have the power. The second Marquez fight made me think. I never looked at my opponents’ tapes before that fight but now I do. At this level, hard gym workouts are not enough. I need to go to school for every opponent. I need to study them. I consider myself a student of boxing now, not just a fighter.

“Cotto’s size and power need to be respected, but I will leverage his size against him. We have numerous plans to do this depending on the style of fight he presents on Saturday night. We are prepared. As important as it is to have advantages, knowing how to use them is even more crucial.

“This fight is so special to me because I will attempt to make history as the first fighter to win seven world titles in seven different divisions. People will always remember the first person to do that wasn’t just Manny Pacquiao, but Filipino Manny Pacquiao.

“When I enter the ring, it is with the strength, the inspiration and the love of my people in my heart, and there is nothing stronger than that. I fight for their honor, and they honor me with their hopes and prayers for my well being.

“This will be a great fight between two great fighters representing their proud heritages. I know we will give fans all over the world a great night of sports entertainment.”

FREDDIE ROACH

“Manny is a carrier of the M1P1 Virus. M1P1 stands for Middleweight Power. He has developed a middleweight punch while maintaining his exceptional speed. Manny has promised me to stay off the ropes in this fight and he hates to disappoint me.

“Manny’s right has become so strong there will be nowhere for Cotto to go. Manny’s prepared to throw his right hook all night long, but believe me his left will be ready to chill Cotto the minute he moves into range.

“Manny’s body punching has gone to a new level and he is an expert at counterpunching from any stance. I honestly don’t know where Cotto can go to escape Manny ‘s onslaught. And unlike previous opponents who have hurt Cotto, Manny is the best finisher I have ever worked with. If Manny shakes up Cotto in round one, he’ll finish the job.

“We have noted the bad habits embedded in Cotto’s style and we will exploit all of them. Believe me, there are enough of them, like with Hatton and De la Hoya, to give Manny plenty of targets.”

MIGUEL COTTO

“We had a great training camp, which is the reason why I wanted to take our team to Tampa. I am facing a great fighter in Pacquiao. He has great hand speed and a big heart. It will be a battle.

I began boxing when I was a little boy, just 11 years old. I always dreamed of fighting for the world championship. I have fought in world title fights, won championships, but this fight is very special. I want to tell all of my fans that I am ready to fight. We have a great game plan and we will win.”

JOE SANTIAGO

“We know we are facing a tremendous fighter in Pacquiao. He brings a lot into the ring. But we have our plan how to counter all of that, win the fight, keep the title belt and head home to celebrate in Puerto Rico.”

“We had such great communication in our camp. Miguel worked so hard every day. He is totally focused.”

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. Defending WBO welterweight champion Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, FIRE POWER: COTTO vs. PACQUIAO, will take place, Saturday, November 14, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.pacmancotto.com, www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com.

HBO’s® fast-moving reality series “24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” returns with the premiere of the finale Tonight! Friday, November 13 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. HBO will replay episodes No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 consecutively prior to the premiere of episode No. 4. The replays begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Nov. 13. Episodes Nos. 1-3 are also available on HBO ON DEMAND.

Seven of the MGM MIRAGE properties along The Strip will host closed circuit viewing in conjunction with Pacquiao vs. Cotto. The resorts include MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Circus Circus and Excalibur. Remaining tickets for the closed circuit telecast at all venues are priced at $50, not including applicable service charges and handling fees. All seats will be general admission and will be available at each individual property’s box office outlets and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or visit www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to 20 per person.