Cotto, mahusay na 'body puncher'

MANILA, Philippines - Kung si legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward ang tatanungin, taglay ni world welterweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto ang pagiging pinakamahusay na 'body puncher' sa world boxing scene.

Nakatakdang sagupain ni Cotto si Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao sa Nobyembre 14 sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

"I am one of the few people that gives Miguel a big chance in that fight because of his boxing. Miguel is perhaps the best body puncher in the sport," ani Steward sa panayam ng Primera Hora.

Kabilang sa mga ginabayan ni Steward ay sina Oscar Dela Hoya, Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis at Wladimir Klitschko.

Ayon kay Steward, kung kakailanganin ng 28-anyos na si Cotto, ang kasaluku-yang World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight titlist, ang kanyang serbisyo para sa paghahanda kay Pacquiao ay kanya itong ibibigay.

"If we reach an agreement together, I have no doubt that Miguel would knockout Pacquiao," ani Steward. "I have seen some things that I can improve and I know that he can knock him out."

Si Joe Santiago ang tumatayong head trainer ni Cotto, nagbabandera ng 34-1-0 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 27 KOs kumpara sa 49-3-2 (37 KOs) card ng 30-anyos na si Pacquiao.

"I'm a big fan of Miguel because he never refuses to fight the best. They don't give Miguel the credit he deserves and I know that many people don't give him a chance to win against Pacquiao, but I do," sabi ni Steward kay Cotto.

Tumatayo rin si Steward bilang boxing commentator para sa HBO. (Russell Cadayona)