(AFP) –
BAGUIO, Philippines — Philippines boxing star Manny Pacquiao entered his training camp here Sunday as the six-time world champion temporarily bid goodbye to show business to focus on his much-awaited blockbuster bout against Miguel Cotto in November.
“I need to focus,” the “Pacman”, 49-3 with two drawn and 37 knockouts, said as he checked into his hotel in this northern mountain resort, having cleared his busy schedule for product endorsements and television shows.
He said his wife and mother would not be allowed into his training quarters.
Pacquiao, boxing’s pound-for-pound king after beating Oscar de la Hoya in 2008 and knocking out Britain’s Ricky Hatton in May, will face Cotto, 34-1 with 27 knockouts, on November 14 in Las Vegas in a welterweight showdown.
The 30-year-old Filipino’s American trainer Freddie Roach was expected to arrive in Baguio over the next few days.
“This place is ideal. My training runs would be intense,” Pacquiao said. “Also, it’s not too crowded.”
He said his trainers have devised a plan to counter the Puerto Rican’s superior size, but gave no details.
Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez asked Filipinos to give his man some space as the left-handed boxer trains outside the glare of the public eye.
“We ask for the people’s prayers,” he said. “We will try our best to help Manny win.”
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