Pac-Man - too many distractions before the big one??

[Wales]

Theres an article on the front page which shares my thoughts that Manny Pacquiao has far too many distractions in his native Philippines before his mega crunch fight with Miguel Cotto. As a fighter so close to his roots, I feel the disaster in his homeland has handed Cotto the upper hand a good 8 weeks before the fight, slap bang in the middle of his camp... Can Pacquiao really train properly whilst also wearing his red cross hat? Can he focus properly with the anarchy around him. And how focussed will he be when he returns to LA next week?

In terrible circumstances I believe Cotto is 1 up with 5 weeks to go.

[Carbo]

Theres an article on the front page which shares my thoughts that Manny Pacquiao has far too many distractions in his native Philippines before his mega crunch fight with Miguel Cotto. As a fighter so close to his roots, I feel the disaster in his homeland has handed Cotto the upper hand a good 8 weeks before the fight, slap bang in the middle of his camp... Can Pacquiao really train properly whilst also wearing his red cross hat? Can he focus properly with the anarchy around him. And how focussed will he be when he returns to LA next week?

In terrible circumstances I believe Cotto is 1 up with 5 weeks to go.

Yeah, I've been worried about this for a while. Between the second Morales fight and the second Marquez fight, there were stories about Pacquiao's out of the ring activities. There were rumours of him playing pool for big money against some of the really great Filipino players partying really hard. And if you look at the results during that period, there's plenty to suggest that Pacquaio wasn't as red hot as he was today. Then, you have Roach saying that until the second Marquez fight, there were certain things that didn't sink in, but after, Pacquaio started listening to Roach much more.

Now, reading between the lines, you wonder whether the second Marquez fight was a big wake up call, and the improvement in Pacquiao's boxing has had much to do with a changed attitude?

Obviously it's just conjecture and conspiracy, but if I was a big Pacquaio fan, I'd be worried that he'd slipped into his old ways. There are certainly huge distractions for him. He has his charity work, he's involved in politics, he has his own TV show, he starred in a film, I think, and now the earthquake. Wasn't there a situation not long ago where Roach couldn't even get in touch with him???

Cotto it a tough, tough match. I genuinely don't know how it's going to work out. But the closer it gets, and these stories emerge, I think I'm starting to lean slightly in Cotto's favour.

[opticald]

I've changed my opinion on the fight.

Cotto by KO.

[Counter-puncher]

I've changed my opinion on the fight.

Cotto by KO.

someone tell ladbrokes et al. the odds on cotto will start crashing down here.

[hitman_hatton1]

he gets distraction doubts before every fight.

but when that bell goes it's same old pac.

definitely see this one with cotto being competitive.

but i think pac's better stamina over the last 4 rds will make the difference.

cotto's gas tank has been running dry late on in a few big fights now.

[opticald]

I wouldn't bet on the fight, but I definitely think Cotto should win this one. Pac is being overrated for beating the overrated Hatton. Cotto is no Hatton.

[Adamj1987]

pac man shouldnt train in the phillipines theres always too big a crowd likewise cotto shouldnt train in his home town/country they need to be somewhere without a circus around them

[alexpaterson]

Pacquiao will win!
I've watched a lot of Cotto recently and noticed he's open to left straights from a southpol stance (Quintana and Judah hit him with it every time they threw it) also if Pac throws in combinations then he'll catch Cotto. Cotto wont be able to get his left hook to the body working as its akward to throw against a southpol. I see Pac finishing it in the 9th round with a straight left when Cotto tires

[Wales]

he gets distraction doubts before every fight.

yeah, but dont you think a major natural disaster in his home country is a bit more than rumours of a night on the piss.

[lefthook82]

Cotto will kick his ass anyway. Distractions or not. And we will see on Nov 7th, Cotto isnt a 'drunken englishman' or a 'weight drained, semi-retired fighter'. He has fought and mostly taken clean shots from very respectable punchers at his weight. He is aptient, has a better defence then given credit for and can throw most punches in the book. He also has a wicked body attack. The bookies always win eventually but sometimes they like to be generous and give you a chance to make money.

[Wales]

Cotto will kick his ass anyway. Distractions or not. And we will see on Nov 7th,

14th, Haye is on the 7th.

[DG.]

I wouldn't bet on the fight, but I definitely think Cotto should win this one. Pac is being overrated for beating the overrated Hatton. Cotto is no Hatton.

Exactly!

[Autobarn]

as said above, there is always a distraction, roach tells pac off or even (shock horror!) considers quitting. preparation for multi million dollar fight compromised! will pac come unstuck! then pac wins the fight, anyway.

you'd think this dramatic subplot would have worn out by now.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

pac man shouldnt train in the phillipines theres always too big a crowd likewise cotto shouldnt train in his home town/country they need to be somewhere without a circus around them

- Manny's training camp is barely accessible to the outside far removed from population centers.

Cotto has chosen Miami this year for the first time, the same Miami many fighters avoid because of the distractions. Unless you're in the camps, and any reports in the camps tend to be on the level of planted rumours, you can't know how training went.

Should be the most competitive fight Manny's been in since the last Marquez fight. The forum tiny teapots are already starting to boil over before the fight's begun!

[hitman_hatton1]

I wouldn't bet on the fight, but I definitely think Cotto should win this one. Pac is being overrated for beating the overrated Hatton. Cotto is no Hatton.

Exactly!

yeah.

he puts on nowhere near as much pressure as rick does.

nah being serious for a sec.

i've always said cotto was better than hatton and he is.

but his stamina is a worry against a goer like pac.

pac is good enough to stay with him early. :>

[Rocky Balboa]

I've changed my opinion on the fight.

Cotto by KO.

someone tell ladbrokes et al. the odds on cotto will start crashing down here.

Currently with Paddy Power, William Hill & Ladbrokes, Pacquiao 4/9, Cotto 13/8. Bet 365, Pacquiao 4/9, Cotto 7/4. Pacquiao is well odds-on.

When the fight was first announced, I favoured Manny, but as the weeks went by, & with Cotto starting training camp earlier than he usually does & the rumours of distractions in camp Pacquiao, I now think Cotto will win!

13/8 for Cotto is a good price imo! Pacquiao is the favourite, but those odds are too short!