Pacquiao versus Cotto News Update : Cotto is having an issue going down to 145 pounds

HOLLYWOOD – Alex Ariza has long been in the business of body conditioning and thus, knows exactly when an athlete is already in his proper frame of health.

One look at reigning welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at this point in time, and Ariza can clearly say the 28-year old warrior from Caguas, Puerto Rico is having an issue going down to 145 pounds.

“Personally, I think he’s having a hard time losing weight," Ariza said. “He looked a little gaunt."

But Ariza based it on how he sees Cotto, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion, in newspaper clippings and TV interviews.

“And also I only hear things about it, on how hard he’s been working out lately the way he has never worked out before," he added.

A natural welterweight, Cotto’s camp has been evading questions surrounding his current weight, insisting the champion would be able to meet the catch weight of 145lbs. The former Olympian has never fought below 147 pounds since 2006, and under the contract he signed for the Pacquiao fight, a pound in excess of the catch weight is equal to a $1 million penalty.

In contrast, Pacquiao appeared to be in control of his weight. Ariza said the Pacman currently weighs 149 pounds, although he goes down to 146 by the time he is over with his two-hour daily training at the Wild Card gym.

Pacquiao’s conditioning coach from Colombia said the ring idol from General Santos City will carry a weight of 144 or 145 during Friday’s official weigh-in, and then be at 149 on the night of the fight itself.

“That’s his natural weight (149) right now. He’s so fast for that. What you’re now seeing are pure muscles," said Ariza, adding that the world pound-for-pound king only has a six percent body fat.

Ariza also has high respect for Cotto’s conditioning coach Phil Landman, adding the key to the fight would boil down to who has the better trainer.

“It will go down as to who you have in the corner, and I have Freddie Roach with me. Unlike Cotto who only has some “average Joe" on his side," said Ariza in an obvious jibe against Joe Santiago, the former nutritionist turned trainer of the WBO title holder.

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Pacquiao versus Cotto Update : La Diva will Sing the RP Anthem in Firepower

MANILA – Three artists, not just one, will sing the country’s national anthem in Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s much anticipated showdown with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The people’s champ confirmed to abs-cbnNEWS.com in an exclusive interview that “La Diva,” dubbed as the Destiny’s Child of the Philippines,” will sing “Lupang Hinirang” in the Pacquiao-Cotto “Firepower” clash.

The pop girl group is composed of “Pinoy Pop Superstar” champions Jonalyn Viray (soprano), Aicelle Santos (alto) and Maricris Garcia (mezzo-soprano).

Viray is the 1st grand champion of the singing contest, while Garcia is the 3rd Pinoy Pop Superstar champion. Santos, on the other hand, was a runner-up in the second season.

Pacquiao said the three auditioned in the early part of this year. Other artists from networks ABS-CBN and GMA 7 also took part in the audition, he said. The boxer cited Jolina Magdangal as one of those who wanted to sing the national anthem.

The Filipino boxing icon was particularly impressed by the “La Diva” when he saw them perform. He added that he believes “La Diva” will do justice in singing “Lupang Hinirang” next month.

The boxing champion also admitted that he was told that international singers Charice and Lea Salonga were interested in singing the national anthem for the fight.

"Pero hindi ko naman sila nakausap. Kung nakausap ko, siguro sila. Pero ‘yong ‘La Diva’ kasi, na-oo-han ko na. Mahirap naman at baka masabi wala akong isang salita," Pacquiao explained.

According to law

To avoid any controversy like what happened to Nievera when he sang “Lupang Hinirang” in Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout on May 2, Pacman assured that the trio group will sing the national anthem according to what the law prescribes.

The National Historical Institute (NHI) lambasted Nievera for his alleged "wrong" rendition of the "Lupang Hinirang."

Critics said Nievera sang the first part of the song too slowly and should not have belted out the last words of the song.

The NHI said this constituted a violation of Section 37 of Republic Act 8491 or the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which states that the rendition of the national anthem, whether played or sung, should be in accordance with the original musical arrangement of Julian Felipe, which follows a marching-type beat.

Violators may be imprisoned for not more than a year and fined at least P20,000.

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Paulie Malignaggi's Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Prediction

MANILA, Philippines – He has yet to feel the power of Manny Pacquiao, but Paulie Malignaggi is convinced the Filipino superstar can’t measure up against Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto when they tangle on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Malignaggi went as far as predicting that Cotto, who beat him by unanimous decision three years ago, would knock Pacquiao out and retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown.

In an interview with Rick Reeno of BoxingScene.com, Malignaggi paid tribute to Cotto’s strength by saying that he “hits like a beast.”

This despite Cotto’s inability to put him down when they tangled on June 10, 2006 at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

According to Malignaggi, the Puerto Rican (34-1 with 27 KOs) is simply “too big and too strong” for Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound king, who is a 2-1 favorite in early betting odds.

Unconvinced of Pacquiao’s punching power, Malignaggi even suggested that South African Joshua Clottey, who was narrowly beaten by Cotto last June 13, could also knock Pacquiao out.

Of course, Cotto is also convinced that Pacquiao doesn’t have the physical attributes to topple him even at the catch weight of 145 pounds.

In an interview with Puerto Rican newspaper Primera Hora on Friday, Cotto said his only concern about Pacquiao was his speed although he noted that he could neutralize it with a “good defense.”

Cotto, who started his preparations for the megabuck pay-per-view bout on August 3 in his hometown in Caguas, Puerto Rico, added that Pacquiao must look elsewhere if he wants an unprecedented seventh world title at 147 pounds.

The Pacquiao-Cotto showdown, which is also for the newly created World Boxing Council Diamond Belt, is already a guaranteed blockbuster with only a few $750 and $1000 tickets up for grabs.

To further drum up interest, chief promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank announced that Pacquiao and Cotto will embark on a four-city press tour starting on September 10 in New York, September 12 in Caguas, September 13 in San Francisco and September 14 in Los Angeles.

SOURCE : Cotto ‘victim’ predicts Pacquiao knockout

Paulie Malignaggi was born November 23, 1980. He is an American professional boxer from Brooklyn, New York. He is a former IBF junior welterweight champion. Prior to his fight against Miguel Cotto, Malignaggi's fight record was 21-0-0.

Mosley to Pacquiao : Let's do it at 140 lbs

MANILA - Just when it seemed that he has given up chasing Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosely has suddenly come out to challenge the Filipino again.

This time, he wants to fight the pound-for-pound king in the junior welterweight division.

“I'm going down to 140 [lbs.] and I want to fight Pacquiao for his belt because that's a belt I had never won,” Mosley told Fighthype.com’s Ben Thompson.

Aside from being the top pound-for-pound fighter, Pacquiao is the reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) and The Ring Magazine junior welterweight champion.

Mosley, the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion, earlier offered Pacquiao a 40-60 revenue cut in favor of the Filipino. He also said he was willing to go down to 144 lbs. just to get that fight.

When Pacquiao refused to budge, he reportedly gave up the chase.

Mosley, however, came back into the action as Pacquiao’s camp continues to negotiate the weight issue with possible Puerto Rican foe Miguel Cotto.

“I thought about my legacy and my history,” said Mosley. “I think that me being willing to fight and the only thing that stands between us is 143 or 144 and we're going back and forth and he's playing games with Cotto.”

With his current offer at 140 lbs., Mosley said Pacquiao will surely run out of excuses not to fight him.

“I'm ready for him to say, 'yes, let's go ahead and do it' and let's fight. I mean, there should be no excuses. There should be no hold ups for Bob Arum or nobody,” said the welterweight champ.

“I'm the only one stepping up to the plate and willing to do something, willing to fight, willing to give the fans what they want… a great fight,” he added.

This news article comes from ABS-CBN news.

Mosley is really doing everything just to fight the Manny Pacquiao.

Pacman camp eyes Mosley at 143 lb

MANILA, Philippines - Shane Mosley is suddenly back in the picture.

Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said if Miguel Cotto insists on the catchweight of 145 lb, the Filipino boxing icon might be forced to consider Mosley as his next opponent.

“We will not agree to 145 pounds. And if Cotto insists, we’ll go for Mosley,” said Gacal from Davao City.

Top Rank president Bob Arum wants Pacquiao to face Cotto, the reigning WBO welterweight (147 lb) champion from Puerto Rico, on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas. But no deal has been forged yet, not on the date, weight or purse.

“No definite date yet or any other details have been agreed upon,” said Pacquiao the other day.

Pacquiao, 30, said he wants to fight on Oct. 17 but Arum explained that it wouldn’t be a good date because of the Major League World Series, and that it would be hard to compete with the mother of all baseball games.

“Regarding the date, maybe we can give in to what Bob Arum wants although Manny really wants to fight in October. But there’s the baseball thing so maybe we can agree on November,” said Gacal.

Both Pacquiao and Cotto are under Top Rank, and it should have been easier for Arum to seal the deal. But again, the weight issue, Gacal added, is turning out to be a real weighty issue.

“Manny will be giving up too much if he agrees to fight Cotto at 145. We want him at 143 and if he insists otherwise, then we’ll look at Mosley if Mosley is still available,” said the Filipino lawyer.

“Cotto is an inch taller than Manny and definitely he’s heavier. He’s got a bigger body, too. I think Manny will be short-changed if he agrees to 145. And it should be us dictating the terms, not Cotto,” said Gacal.

Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion, was so eager to face Pacquiao he said he’d fight at 144 lb, and settle for 40 percent of the purse. But the native of Pomona, California, had given up on the fight when it seemed all’s well for a Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

“Mosley said he’s willing to fight Manny at 144. Maybe we can drag him down to 143. So if Cotto insists on 145, we’ll got for Mosley,” Gacal added.

At 5’9” Mosley is easily two inches taller than Pacquiao, but the American champion will be 39 by September. Cotto will turn 29 in October.

Mosley is under Golden Boy Promotions, whose president, Oscar dela Hoya, recently played a round of golf with Cotto at the Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club in Puerto Rico.

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Mosley trying to finalize deal with Pacquiao

The contracts have yet to be signed, but on paper there seems to be at least a little intrigue for a matchup this fall between two of the top fighters in the world.

World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley 46-5-0 (39 KOs) said Wednesday that only a few obstacles stand between him and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao 49-3-2 (37 KOs) securing a catch-weight bout for Oct. 17.

“Now that Manny has stated that he is ready to fight me, the only thing left to finish are negotiations," Mosley said in a released statement on Wednesday.

"(Promoters) Richard Schaefer and Bob Arum are working out the details now. I will be ready to fight Pacquiao on October 17."

While Mosley’s camp was quick to spread the news that the Filipino superstar reportedly told GMA News on Wednesday that he would be willing to fight the 37-year-old Mosley ("No problem. We can fight. As long as we negotiate," Pacquiao said.), Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, told the Los Angeles Times such talk was premature.

"This has absolutely no credibility to it. Manny hasn't decided who he's going to fight," Arum said. "It could be Mosley, or it could be (Miguel) Cotto, (Floyd) Mayweather Jr., (Juan Manuel) Marquez or (Edwin) Valero. They're all in the mix."

"I've also heard from Manny's people that he wants to wait and see the Mayweather-Marquez fight (on July 18) before he agrees to anything,” continued Arum, who told the Times he was contacted by Mosley's promoter, Richard Schaefer, Wednesday about a possible deal.

“That would mean we won't be ready until November. All that he's said is that he's willing to fight Mosley. But he still has to explore the best deal.”

For most boxing fans the biggest fight looming would be a showdown between undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. 39-0 (25 KOs), and the reigning fighter of the year, Pacquiao.

First, Mayweather would have to get past Marquez in July. Pacquiao, who is filming a movie this summer in his native Philippines, could then decide to set up a multi-million dollar megafight with “Pretty Boy” Floyd.

But “Pac-Man” trainer Freddie Roach said after his second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton last month that he doesn’t want the IBO and Ring Magazine World Light Welterweight champ to be away from the ring for too long.

"As a fan, I'd like to see him fight Mosley," Roach said at the time. “The Mayweather fight may not happen because we don't want to wait for him. Mosley is more dangerous, they both like to fight and his power is dangerous. But Manny is the best, anyone in the world, he can beat all of them."

Mosley, who on Wednesday won a fight outside the ring when a New York State Supreme Court judge upheld his defamation case against BALCO steroid head Victor Conte, said he would be willing to fight somewhere between 140 and 147 pounds and offer a 60-40 split of the purse favoring Pacquaio, who has won 10 straight fights.

"I like to put my skills to the test, I started with Antonio Margarito and now if I had the chance to fight Pacquiao that would be great," Mosley said at the media conference after Pacquiao’s dominant victory at the MGM Grand.

"I tell him in person, let's do it at 147. You want the welterweight title, let's do it and see what happens."

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