Bob Arum Says Cotto's Mental State is Sharpest in Years

Less than two weeks before the 'Firepower' match, Top Rank owner Bob Arum says 'Miguel Cotto's mental state is sharpest it has been in years'. Arum promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto

When Bob Arum traveled to the Philippines during the early part Manny Pacquiao's training in the mountain city of Baguio in northern Philippines, the popular boxing promoter was all praise for the way Pacquiao was progressing under the watchful eyes of trainer Freddie Roach. Arum was particularly amazed at the way Pacquiao trains. Here what Bob Arum is saying about the way the two boxers train:

"I think, in general, both guys looked very, very good," Arum said. "Cotto looked strong. He's Cotto. He works hard for two hours. He does all his sparring. He's in tremendous shape. I know Cotto works hard, but in contrast to the other guy [Pacquiao], it looks like he's taking a vacation. Pacquiao goes for, like, four or five hours. It's amazing. They train differently. Pacquiao is so work-intensive. It's like nothing I've ever seen.

Although Bob Arum is not expected to side with either fighters, being their official promoters, he nonetheless expressed his unbiased opinion on the way the two camps are handling their prized fighters. Continuing his observations from his visit to their training camps, Arum said: "Cotto does the workouts like a Marvin Hagler or Sugar Ray Leonard, two guys I promoted. They were all business. They'd come in, do their workout, spar hard and be done. When I was with Cotto, I saw him do 10 rounds one day and six rounds another day. He looked good. He'd do his two hours and be done. After two hours, Manny's just getting started. I'm glad Manny pays Freddie a lot of money, because he earns it." Less than two weeks before the 'Firepower' match, the popular boxing promoter is all praise for the Puerto Rican boxing idol. 'Miguel Cotto's mental state is sharpest it has been in years', Arum was quoted to have said. Is Arum rooting for the Puerto Rican boxer? Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will collide on November 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will have worldwide television coverage and is available on pay-per-view.