Cotto helps Pacquiao prepare vs Mayweather – Roach

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach, the longtime boxing coach of Manny Pacquiao, revealed that middleweight titleholder Miguel Cotto is lending his helping hand to the Filipino pugilist as he gears up for his much-anticipated bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 (May 3 in Manila).

Roach, a seven-time BWAA “Trainer of the Year” awardee, disclosed that the Puerto Rican slugger helps him in plotting the precise strategy that Pacquiao could execute when he collides with Mayweather in the ring.

Cotto is no stranger to Pacquiao and Mayweather as he crossed paths with both men in the squared-circle.

The current WBC middleweight champion was routed by Pacquiao via twelfth-round stoppage in November 2009, while he dropped a unanimous decision to Mayweather in May 2012.

“I asked him a lot about the fight [against Mayweather] and about the situation. Miguel is a big help in getting the better game plan,” Roach stated in his interview during Pacquiao’s media workout on Thursday, April 16.

Cotto tapped Roach to be his head trainer following his disappointing defeat to Austin Trout in December 2012.

Under the tutelage of Roach, Cotto has won two matches in a row, stopping Delvin Rodriguez in October 2013 before claiming the middleweight crown from Sergio Martinez 8 months later.

According to Roach, Cotto vowed to knock out Mayweather if an opportunity for a rematch versus the unbeaten American boxer will present in the future.

“Miguel told me if he fights him again and I am there to train, he will knock him out,” he stated.

Cotto is currently booked to defend his WBC middleweight belt against Daniel Geale on June 6 (June 7 in Manila) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. – Rappler.com