Pacquiao prepares self for long grind vs Cotto

MANILA -- Manny Pacquiao is now making the most of his free time with his family before he begins the long grind in preparation for his fight against Miguel Cotto.

The top pound-for-pound fighter said he is very much excited to go back to the gym and start training for his upcoming fight with the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion from Puerto Rico.

“Tinanggap ko na ang alok at hamon upang labanan ang dambuhalang si Miguel Angel Cotto sa Nobyembre 14, sa MGM Grand Arena sa Las Vegas at excited na ako upang simulan ang paghahanda,” said Pacquiao in his Philboxing.com column “Kumbinasyon”.

That’s why Pacquiao is making the most out of his free time by spending it with his family.

“Medyo mahaba pa rin ang nalalabing panahon para umpisahan ang training, kaya naman gugugulin ko ang mga oras na ito upang makasama ang aking pamilya,” he said.

Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, earlier said he is looking for another eight-week training camp to fully prepare his ward against the bigger Cotto.

The Filipino boxing star has agreed to fight at 145 pounds against the Puerto Rican champ.

Manny thanks ESPN Pacquiao, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to sports TV network ESPN and to all his fans for selecting him as the Best Fighter in the 2009 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) awards.

“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat dahil napili akong Best Fighter at naungusan ko ang mga malalaking superstar ng MMA gaya nila Anderson Silva at Lyoto Machida at ang kapwa boksingero na si Sugar Shane Mosley,” he said.

He considered the award as an honor because he said it meant that his performance inside the ring was highly appreciated.

Pacquiao also apologized for failing to attend the awarding ceremony because of his hectic schedule.

“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin dahil hindi ako nakaabot sa parangal at hindi ko natanggap ang award dahil na rin sa aking busy na schedule,” said the boxer.