Miguel Cotto Plays It Cool

Team is ready for “Fire Power” with Pacman!

Breathing room was at a minimum in the small sweatbox of a gym. Holding down a spot by the open back door was only for the extremely lucky. But in the thick of the smoldering heat, one lone figure appeared cool as a cucumber.

Wearing a bright red T-shirt, Miguel Cotto took it all in stride during his Media Workout held Tuesday at the Pound4Pound Gym in Los Angeles. The boxer from Caguas, Puerto Rico will be facing the current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao on November 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Fighting at the contract weight of 145, Cotto already looks slim and trim. His camp says he’s at 150–right on target.

In the packed gym, the boxer jump roped and hit the mitts for several rounds with new trainer Joe Santiago. Coming into the ring in a white warm-up jacket and long black pants that made him look even more svelte, Cotto kept a serious demeanor and worked out non-stop as the assembled press watched his every move. Under this intense scrutiny, the Puerto Rican slugger maintained a steady gaze as the flashbulbs went off.

Once warm, Cotto peeled off his jacket to reveal the team’s long sleeved shirt with his angel wings Cotto logo on the back. Santiago, Miguel Cotto Sr., conditioning coach Phil Landman, and cutman Joe Chavez were all donning the same team gear. Conveying a mood of solidarity, Team Cotto were all relaxed and remained focused throughout the workout.

If you have watched any of the HBO’s “24/7” series featuring both Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) and Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), the broadcast shows Miguel’s team enjoying a harmonious camp in Tampa, Florida.

Veteran cutman Joe Chavez confirms that this team harmony was not just for the cameras. One of the most respected cornermen in the biz, Chavez said things were great during the camp. He said they all got along very well–eating together, working out together. The fit Chavez, in his 70s, even lost 14 pounds while training in Florida. After spending six weeks in Tampa, Team Cotto was heading back to Vegas after the media day.

Back up in the ring, the spry Cotto, who just turned 29, continued to work on the mitts, showing no fatigue. Later stepping down to face the onslaught of interviews, Miguel then stripped off his shirt to bare a trim physique–and the numerous tattoos covering his arms, torso and neck that have been showcased in HBO scenes from his training camp.

After a high-profile media tour including pit stops in New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, worldwide interest in the bout has Pacquiao vs. Cotto emerging as a huge blockbuster of a fight.

During the open workout, observers around the canvas frantically fanned themselves to try and keep cool. But Cotto, the WBO Welterweight Champ, kept an icy stare and went about his business in the ring. He appears ready for battle.

And everyone–from fans around the world to the harshest critics in boxing circles–is expecting this upcoming fight for the World Welterweight Championship to be one fierce battle. If Cotto wins, he may finally be able to put to rest those “ghosts of Margarito” flashbacks and the emotional pain and drama with former trainer/uncle Evangelista Cotto. And if the most famous person ever hailing from General Santos City, Philippines scores another victory, Pacquiao will prove his pound-for-pound status once again by winning his seventh title in seven weight classes.

That’s a lot to prove; a lot is at stake. But Cotto and his camp seem to be handling the pressure well.

During the workout, Top Rank President and promoter Bob Arum and HBO’s Larry Merchant were also besieged by the media while Team Cotto continued to keep things cool, calm and collected. And one more C-word: Cotto seemed very confident.

As two friendly Tecate girls welcomed the visitors, everyone bustled around the gym floor. I took it all in and slowly scanned the room, noticing a lone figure sitting quietly in the corner. It was Miguel’s mother. I went over to meet her and just like Cotto, she was staying cool through all of the ruckus. Humble and polite, she told me they enjoyed Tampa and will be in Vegas until the fight. She too, like Miguel Jr., was even keel throughout the day. No signs of pressure, fear or worry showing on Mama’s face.

Can her son Miguel Angel Cotto–the “underdog” in the bout–find a way to beat the Filipino sensation?

While Cotto may be saddled with the plight of the underdog going into the match, the fighter and survivor seems ready to prove to the world (and to all of the Philippine Islands) that they are wrong. Certainly not as speedy as the lightning sharpshooter Pacman, many say the welterweight is much faster than he’s ever given credit for.

Their marquee matchup has been tagged “Fire Power” for a reason. The 30-year-old Pacman, named “Fighter of the Year,” throws wicked bombs that stem from those infamous 15-inch calves of his, and continues to cement his legacy in the sport.

The wildly-popular Pacquiao is a face of Nike sportswear and shoes, whose motto is “Just Do It.”

That question lingers for Cotto: CAN HE DO IT? Can Miguel Cotto be the one to dethrone the king?

During the media workout, the team didn’t give away too many clues in their strategy except for keeping things smooth around them as the room became more and more feverish.

If Cotto’s team strategy goes as planned, he’s got a very good chance to stun the world by upsetting boxer/singer/politician Manny Pacquiao.

Come November 14, only one thing is for sure: When the bell rings, we will all be watching!

The fight, promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, is a complete sell out with closed-circuit viewing now available.

All Photos by MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images