Pacquiao Blog 4: Hit and Run

Manny Pacquiao would have to do a hit-and-run in his fight against Miguel Cotto.

Freddie Roach said that they would have to rely on his prize ward's patented speed to fight the younger, heavier, taller and apparently stronger Puerto Rican Cotto, whose WBO welterweight crown Pacquiao is planning to grab on November 14.

"We have to make sure that he wouldn't be able to put both his feet on the ground and land his punches," Roach said.

Roach said that they are wary of Cotto's left hook, said to be his most dangerous punch in his arsenal.

Pacquiao is also firming up his torso so that his opponent's left hook to the body won't sting as much. He has added abs cruch as part of his regimen exercises at the Shape Up Boxing Arena here in Baguio where the Team Pacquiao is expected to stay for about six weeks.

Roach said that they are also devising ways to out-think Cotto.

"Cotto's got his great left hook and he's smart," Roach said.

Pacquiao also said that they would be training more for strategy rather than for his punches.

"I am a boxer. I already know my punches. I need strategy," Pacquiao said.

One strategy he and Roach thought of in fighting Cotto is to dictate the pace.

"We will try to set the pace and not let Cotto do it," Roach said.

Early Thursday morning, Pacquiao jogged at the Camp John Hay and caused a stampede when he and the Team Pacquiao made their courtesy call to Baguio Mayor Peter Rey Bautista.