Moments ago, 6-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and 3-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, along with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, hosted a media conference call from their Hollywood-based camp to discuss PacMan's training camp in the typhoon-plagued Philippines and his return to the U.S. as he prepares for the biggest and most important fight of his career. Check out highlights of what Arum, Roach and Pacquiao all had to say.
THE CONFERENCE CALL BEGINS...
Bob Arum...
"As we come down the home stretch here, I know everybody is extremely excited."
"This fight has gotten more attention and more interest than any fight I can remember in the last 5 or 10 years."
"Part of the renaissance of boxing has to be attributed to the rise of Manny Pacquiao."
"He is a unique fighter and a unique person."
Freddie Roach...
"Camp's going really well."
"We had a couple of typhoons that came through, but we didn't miss a beat."
"Now we're back at the Wild Card."
"Manny boxed great yesterday. 10 good rounds. He's about 95% now."
Manny Pacquiao...
"Helloy everybody. Thank you Fred [Sternburg] and thank you to all the fans who are waiting for a good fight on November 14th."
Pacquiao on the possibility of winning a 7th world title in 7 divisions...
"It's a great honor to me and to my country."
"Thats why I'm very hungry to win this fight because it's the first time in history"
Roach on Pacquiao fighting for a 7th world title...
"Beating Miguel Cotto for a 7th world title is going to be unbelievable. The thing is, Manny's a throwback. He's like a Henry Armstrong type of guy...he's carrying his punch and his power up with him and his speed. He's just getting better and better...this is one of the greatest achievments ever because he's surpassing people like Sugar Ray Leonard, who's a six-time world champion...he's in the elite category of the best 5 fighters of all time in any era."
"I think this will be our final title stop, but you never know though. If a guy comes at 154, then maybe we'll go there."
Roach on the popularity of Pacquiao...
"Even Mike Tyson doesn't have the drawing power that Manny Pacquiao has right now...I never saw so many people just swarming to try and get a touch or look at Manny Pacquiao. His countrymen love him and he's a great inspiration for his country."
"He brightens up a room...Manny Pacquiao is an endearing person and he's a great fighter and the type of fighter that's going to keep boxing alive because he's all-action and he gives 100% every time."
Roach on the disagreement he had with Pacquiao on when to leave...
"There really wasn't a disagreement...I was just very concerned that the typhoon was going to come quicker than it did and Manny was really relaxed about it."
Roach on the sparring with Porter, Antillon and Castillo...
"Well, Shawn Porter has a great left hook. He's a good puncher...he worked out really, really well for us...Castillo, he has experience and he knows how to box. We're just getting ready for Miguel Cotto and whatever he brings. If he wants to box or if he wants to fight us, we're ready for both. We had really really good sparring and we still have good sparring right now and the guys get to go again tomorrow."
Roach on whether or not Cotto is Pacquiao's biggest challenge...
"I don't know if he's the biggest challenge. We've fought some good fighters...he's a very good fighter...we're moving up to a bigger weight class, but we fought Oscar at this weight class also. I'm very confident in my guy. We're 100% ready for the fight. I feel that Manny, the way he's punching right now...he's going to knock Cotto out I feel. I'm very confident so I look forward to the win."
Roach on Pacquiao's training...
"Baguio worked out well for us...for the first four weeks, it was the best camp we ever had...he was on fire the whole month there. We had a great camp there. The weather messed with us a little bit...we did what we had to do...we had a great first month."
"He got a little distracted while in Manila with people pulling him in every direction so that last day of boxing, I was very disappointed. He didn't do that well because his focus and his mind was somewhere else...He gave me 10 great rounds yesterday. He's back on track and he's very close to being ready for the fight. We'll have two more big sparring days and then we'll start tapering off."
Pacquiao on whether or not he's ready physically and mentally...
"I feel 100% conditioned and excited to fight. I can't wait untill November 14th."
Roach on Cotto...
"He's never fought a guy like Manny Pacquiao though with his speed. I think that's where he's going to have trouble, with our speed. I really don't think he'll be able to handle it, but we'll see...I think he's gonna try to be a counterpuncher and not come at us."
Roach on knocking out Cotto...
"It's kind of growing on me because, working the mitts with Manny at this weight, he's punching so much harder than he ever has. He's really getting used to the weight. He's very used to it now and he's just punching fast and hard and I just think Miguel Cotto's defense isn't good enough. He's hittable and people that Manny can hit, he knocks out."
"The fight with Margarito, of course, he did take a beating in that. His first comeback fight, he fought an average guy and didn't look that great, but again, being knocked out for the first time takes your confidence away. So, I mean, he's gaining confidence. He looked a little better in the Clottey fight of course, but, you know, he did try to quit in the 9th round I think when he's holding his eye in there with the real bad cut, but he sucked it up and came on and won the fight. It was a good look for him. I think it gave him a little more confidence back. But we're going to take that away from him right away. We're not going to let him get any confidence in this fight. We're going to start quick."
Pacquiao on the difficulties suffered during the typhoon...
"I felt so bad for so many people...I had to focus on my training because this is not just for me, but all of our contry."
Roach on Pacquiao fighting a true welterweight...
"Miguel has a pretty good left hook. I don't think he's the strongest we've ever faced though. Hatton was supposed to be stronger than us also. I have no worries about that because that doesn't win fights. Boxing abilities win fights and Manny is a better boxer than him."
Pacquiao on the difficulties of staying focused on training during the typhoons...
"It's difficult for me, but I have to focus on my fight because nobody can help me in the ring. Of course, I'm doing this not only for me, but all of my country."
Pacquiao on the attention he gets...
"That's my responsibility, to focus and train, especially training. And of course I understand people want to take pictures with me and shake my hand because they're idolizing me and always supporting."
Roach on how much Pacquiao has improved...
"He's improving over time. The thing is we're just taking the style of our opponents and making adjustments...he's getting better and better all the time. The thing is he's going to be a 7-time world champion and he's still learning. He's very hungry to improve."
Pacquiao on Miguel Cotto the fighter...
"Miguel Cotto is a bigger guy and a hard puncher, strong. He's a good fighter. He's a champion for this fight and I'm just a challenger so I'm not underestimating Cotto's capabilities in the ring."
Pacquiao on Roach's KO prediction...
"That's my coach's prediction, but for me, I want to focus on the fight and don't think anything. If the knockout comes, it comes."
"I believe in my power. I'm lucky to hit a good punch to my opponent."
Pacquiao on whether or not it's fair that people question his opponents after he wins...
"People can think what they want. I'm confident in my abilities and the result of the fight."
"To all the people who love boxing and are supporting us, thank you."
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
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