Floyd’s trainer: ‘Pacquiao has guts to face Cotto’

MANILA -- There’s nothing new in recognizing Manny Pacquiao’s ferocity in facing guys bigger than him.

Unless the recognition came from Roger Mayweather, the uncle-trainer of former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

In an interview with fight Fan.com’s Ace Freeman, Roger said it takes some serious guts for a small man like Pacquiao to face Miguel Cotto.


“Obviously if Pacquiao is taking the fight with Cotto, he thinks he can beat him. That should tell you right there… for a little guy, he’s got some balls,” said Roger.

Roger, who himself fought as a professional and was a former world champion in the late 80’s, also admitted that he may have underestimated Pacquiao in the past.

“Obviously he’s a much better fighter than I thought he was. Regardless of how he beat [Oscar] de la Hoya, he still beat de la Hoya. Regardless of how he beat Ricky Hatton, he beat Ricky Hatton. Obviously, he’s a better than I thought he was,” he said.

However, he thinks it will be a different story when Pacquiao meets Cotto, whom he described as the bigger guy and a very good puncher.

“I don’t think he’s going to beat Cotto. If he does beat Cotto, I’ll be amazed… I’ve got to see him beat Cotto… I’ve got to see it with my own eyes,” said Roger.

Pacman vs Floyd
Roger also said that he would also like to see how Pacquiao would fare against his nephew, Floyd.

“That would be the biggest fight in the world for Pacquiao. It would also be the biggest fight in the world for my nephew if they were to fight in the near future,” he said.

Roger, however, thinks it will only happen if Pacquiao beats Cotto.
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abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/28/2009 11:51 PM

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