Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach believes his fighter will knock out WBO champion Miguel Cotto and has put his money where his mouth is.
Roach was speaking at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood during Pacquiao’s media workout and revealed he is betting $1000 on his fighter winning by knockout in the first round.
“I’m just saying it’s a possibility. And if we hurt him early we’ll finish him. He’s been hurt early many times,” said Roach, who also trains WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan.
Roach has said in previous interviews he expects a first round knockout, but in case it fails the former boxer has also put a thousand dollars each on rounds nine and ten.
The trainer masterminded the second round knockout of Ricky Hatton in Pacquiao’s last fight and feels he has Cotto sussed as he prepares his fighter for boxing history. The Filipino superstar will be fighting for his seventh world title in as many divisions and Roach has studied Cotto in order to make this happen.
“I’m just saying he has many fundamental mistakes,” said Roach of Cotto, who has only one defeat in his 35 fight career.
“I tell you what, I watched his fights when he still had hair and he’s a pretty good fighter. But in his fights with no hair he showed mistakes.
“He tells you when he’s coming in. This is going to be a Ricky Hatton fight all over again.”
