Cotto unfazed by bookies

Puerto Rican not concerned by betting business

By Lizzie Rose   Last updated: 6th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cotto unfazed by bookies

Cotto: Underdog role no concern

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Miguel Cotto is not interested in whether the bookmarkers consider him to be the underdog ahead of his WBO welterweight title defence against Manny Pacquiao.

The Puerto Rican, who boasts a career record of 34-1 including 27 knockouts is confident his hard work in the gym will pay off when he steps into the ring with Pacquiao in Las Vegas on November 14

"I don't know anything about the betting business," Cotto said. "I am just here to try to bring my best every day in the gym.

"With all the work I make in my training camp, I am going to the fight to win money. I am here for myself, not for any kind of bet.

"I am prepared for anything Manny can bring to this fight. He has a lot of things besides his speed and I am prepared for all he can show me at this time."

Wrong fighter

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is stepping up for his debut bout in the Welterweight division, and despite the Filipino being considered as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Cotto insists he's picked the wrong first opponent.

"Manny comes from a lower weight division and if he thinks he is going to have the same power as Miguel Cotto, he is thinking pretty wrong," the Puerto Rican said.

"He has picked the wrong moment and the wrong fighter. If he thinks he is going to win against Miguel Cotto, he is pretty wrong."

Cotto, who retained his WBO title with a split decision win over Ghana's Joshua Clottey in June, doesn't think Pacquiao's renowned speed will cause him too much of a problem.

"We know he has speed and style and that is why you prepare yourself to beat him," he said. "You will find out on the 14th how I am going to deal with his speed and it is not going to be the factor that everyone thinks it is."

Formality

Pacquiao is well-remembered for his second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton in May, when he claimed the IBO light welterweight crown.

The Filipino's camp is now believed to be setting up a challenge against American welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr, leaving many fans believing the 30-year-old is treating the Cotto fight as merely a formality.

"What they say and do doesn't concern me," said Cotto. "I know they know what they have in front of them. I know what I can do to him and he better be focused on what he is up against in Miguel Cotto.

"Once I beat Manny Pacquiao on November 14, they continue their plans and do whatever they want but I am not going home without winning this fight."