Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto 24/7 Series Recap of Episode 3!
The third episode of Pacquiao vs. Cotto 24/7 aired on Saturday, November 7 as a part of HBO’s big evening of action including the Dawson vs. Johnson fight. Here’s a recap of Cotto/Pacquiao 24/7 episode 3.The episode opens with a peek into Pacquiao’s camp and his sparring. As opposed to earlier, he is looking focused, sharp and on point, and even Roach seems pleased. Even though camp is serious, fans are gathering in huge numbers outside the gym and actor Jeremy Piven shows up to hang out and take in the scene.
We also see how Manny takes the time to sign autographs on Saturday afternoons after his workout sessions. After, we get to see a hilarious commercial for an upcoming Manny Pacquiao movie in the Philippines, Wapakman, who is a superhero played by Manny himself.
Have all of these distractions limited his training and focus, are have they made him more well-rounded and ready for sacrifice?
Meanwhile we move to Florida and Miguel Cotto’s camp. It’s his media workout day, and also his 29th birthday, so the gym is packed with press and fans. After the day at the gym, Cotto’s mother makes a feast back at the house for Cotto and company to enjoy.
Back in California, Pacquiao’s dog Pacman finally shows up at the scene. But to his dismay, Manny is busy elsewhere, filming an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. He beats up some Jack-o-lanterns and then heads out for the interview in front of a raucous crowd. Pacquiao seems relieved to have it all done with once he leaves the stage.
Freddie Roach is analyzing tape of Miguel Cotto. He feels that with his experience he can exploit the habits and mistakes that Cotto, and all fighters, make. Roach says he found the weaknesses with Hatton and that he has found them with Cotto. He also feels that Cotto is the boss in his camp with nobody sticking up to him, a situation he finds positive for himself and Pacquiao.
Now we hear more from the much-maligned Michael Kongz. Not only is Pacquiao’s strength trainer angry with him, apparently Roach hates him as well. The feeling isn’t one sided, as both men seem to have a distaste for each other. From the outside looking in it does seem to hard to understand his purpose and the source of his power within camp-Pacquiao.
Cotto is wrapping up his last day in Tampa before heading to Vegas to the final preparations and the waiting before the big fight. Everyone seems to feel that Cotto is rounding into perfect, strong shape. In fact, team-Cotto also feels that Cotto has been becoming stronger as the weight has been dropping, bucking the usual trend.
We get a bit more of a look at Buboy, one of Pacquiao’s chief team members in this episode of Pacquiao Cotto 24/7. The pair became friends while Pacquiao was becoming up, and then when Pacquiao returned after a time away, Pacquiao brought him into the fold because of a desire to help him out of a bad situation.
Even Roach talks about how important he is to the camp and to Manny. He serves a critical role in Manny’s preparations, state of mind and overall well-being. There is a hard earned trust there.
Now still in Pacquiao’s training camp, we see Freddie Roach’s mom come into camp to check out the scene. She comments on how great she thinks Pacquiao is, as well as the bond between Roach and Pacquiao.
Back in Tampa, Cotto and his team are departing for Vegas. A quiet flight and trip erupt into a crowded arrival scene, with fans and media awaiting Cotto to show up. A tired Cotto heads to bed and then gets to the Top Rank gym for a workout the next day. While he normally shows up a week before the fight, he figures that a few extra days of adjustment will serve him well for this fight.
Bob Arum shows up and talks about how he thinks Cotto is at his best, and how he feels that Roach has been playing mind games. Trainer Joe Santiago seems to be able to put Roach’s comments aside, focusing on the task at hand and reminding everyone that the only two men in the ring come November 14 will be Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao.
We’re in Vegas, and as of tonight we are less than a week away from the Pacquiao-Cotto mega-fight. We are reminded that the last time Cotto was in Vegas, he left the hotel in an ambulance, whisked away to the hospital for medical care. Now however, Cotto has long since been healed, and he is eager to make his mark in the big city once again.
Be sure to keep checking in with ProBoxing-Fans.com for continued coverage on everything related to Pacquiao vs. Cotto. In addition to all of our staff Pacquiao vs. Cotto predictions and picks, you can also check out the full Pacquiao vs. Cotto preview and prediction and then on the night of the fight check in for Pacquiao Cotto results.
Image: Pro Boxing Fans; Photos: Mike Gonzalez (Pacquiao) & Wikimedia User Javabeans (Cotto); Creative Commons 3.0 License
