Pacquiao Dominates Jose Luis Castillo

Entering his fourth week of training, Manny Pacquiao continues to dominate his sparring partner as he beefs up for his November 14 fight against Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao sparred with highly-touted former two-time World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico for three rounds then wrapped up his day's session with a four-rounder opposite American Shawn Porter.

This, even as famed boxing coach Freddie Roach stressed that speed and not power will determine the outcome of the "Firepower" match-up between Filipino champ Pacquiao and the Puerto Rican.

Roach, who has been preparing Pacquiao in Baguio City for his toughest fight yet, said he expects Cotto to come out with his guns blazing at the sound of the opening bell at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"I have been closely studying Cotto's fighting style even before the Firepower card was officially announced over a month ago and if we want to beat the Puerto Rican champ we have to take away his advantages," Roach said.

The three-time boxing trainer of the year said their main weapon for the fight would be Manny's lateral speed.

Roach added that Pacquiao will have to rattle Cotto's confidence early in the fight to be able to break down the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champ.

In his anticipated sparring with Castillo, Pacquiao used his vastly improved lateral movements in trying to avoid the Mexican's uppercuts and body shots.

Pacquiao stalled Castillo's aggressive attacks with three to five punch combos and counter left straights.

The 35-year-old Castillo (60-9-1, 52 knockouts) ended his first day of sparring with specks of blood on his left nostril.

Roach, who at first seemed cautious when it comes to having Castillo as Pacquiao's sparring partner, now expressed contentment in having the Mexican inside the gym.

In sparring with Porter, Pacquiao again worked on his footwork and stiff combos while moving out of harm's way.

Roach also denied reports circulating on the Internet that Pacquiao was knocked down in one sparring session last week, adding that no one has come close to flooring Pacquiao in any of their sparring sessions in their Baguio training camp.

Last weekend, Internet forums were deluged with queries and reports Pacquiao got tagged by American sparring partner Porter.

Roach has promised $1,000 for anyone who could put down Pacquiao during sparring.

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