Looking back on what they said before the Pacquiao - Cotto match

I still can't seem to get over the recent victory of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao over Miguel Angel Cotto. I had the copy of the sports section of one of the leading broadsheets here in the Philippines, Manila bulletin, on the day of the "Firepower" fight and I have jotted down here the predictions of some boxing people that almost, if not, said it correctly:


Billy Keane, manager of Gerry Penalosa -- "If Cotto makes the same mistake Hatton made -- trying to come out and show that he is stronger -- I think Manny will KO him in 1 or 2. If he boxes from the start I think Manny will stop him on cuts around the 9th."


David Diaz, ex-Pacquiao foe -- "Cotto is patient and has skills he needs to use it in the early rounds. If he can force Manny to lunge him, that's the only way Cotto can connect. If it goes to the later rounds, that's when it will get bad for Cotto."


Gary Gittelsohn, manager of Brian Viloria -- "I believe Mannny's God-given speed combined with his extraordinary ring intelligence will overcome the physical strength advantage Cotto enjoys. Manny will frustate Cotto all night."


Shelly Finkel, ex-manager of Pacquiao -- "The Manny of today and the Cotto of today. I pick Manny by stoppage in the middle rounds."


Sergio Diaz, manager of Antonio Margarito -- "I think Cotto has recovered from the Margarito fight. But still Manny is the better all-around fighter and it's helping him a lot to have a great trainer in Freddie Roach."


Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State -- "Of course the Pacman's going to win. I mean, is there any doubt?"


Mike Tyson, former world heavyweight champion -- "I pick Manny Pacquiao by knockout. I think he will knock him out in seven or eight. Manny has just too much for Cotto."


Bernard Hopkins, former middleweight champion -- "Pacquiao is going to chop Cotto up. Cotto will get some rounds but Manny is the Bruce Lee of boxing. His basketball and martial arts background give him that speed and agility. You can't tell where his shots are coming from."


Joe Calzaghe, Britain's undefeated world super-middleweight champion -- "Manny Pacquiao is going to be too quick for Cotto. I was ringside when Cotto fought (Joshua) Clottey and he seemed to struggle a bit in that fight. Cotto is the bigger guy but I still think Pacquiao beats him in a decision."


Freddie Roach -- "I honestly don't think we are going to knock him out -- We are going to make him quit."


So there you have it. All the fine points raised by some well-known personalities about the "Firepower" fight. Most of the accolades have been Pacquiao. None much has been said about his team. They are so underrated. I still think the factors of the success of Pacman is that he trains hard, trains smart with the help of his team. They have a closely-knit team with a very good foundation that builds trust and consistency, solves problems and boosts confidence:


Freddie Roach - who transformed Manny Pacquiao into a two-fisted juggernaut
Alex Ariza - physical conditioning coach responsible for transforming Manny Pacquiao into a powerful boxer
Buboy Fernandez - assistant trainer considered to be Manny's best-kept secret weapon
Michael Koncz - Pacman's advisor. He is the most hated but nevertheless still part of the team.


Even if they have altercations, minor or otherwise, I hope they keep their act together. Hope everything goes well on the next successive fights. So much for boxing. I will return soon to normal programming. :)