Cotto and Pacquiao camps exchange fighting words

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Whenever Manny Pacquiao or Miguel Cotto fight -- never mind when they fight one another -- the run-up to the bout is refreshingly free of the trash-talking that has long marred boxing.

All of which made the words of Cotto’s new trainer, Joe Santiago, stand out at Wednesday’s final pre-fight press conference.

‘Miguel Cotto is in his best condition,’ Santiago said in Spanish. ‘I hope our opponent in this fight, Manny Pacquiao, is the same. We’re only three days away from the fight and a great victory for Puerto Rico.

‘Manny, good luck. You’re going to need it.’

Cotto dismissed the talk as nothing more than a response to Pacquiao’s boastful trainer, Freddie Roach, who said he’s placed a bet that his fighter will knock Cotto out in the first round.

‘Freddie Roach has a job, as the trainer,’ he said. ‘Just like Joe Santiago.’

For his part, however, the Puerto Rican champion is hardly lacking for confidence.

‘We worked hard. We worked like never before,’ said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs). ‘I feel good. I’m in excellent condition.

‘It’s going to be a great night for the boxing public. But more special for the Latin people, the Puerto Rican people. We’re prepared for everything. But especially to win.’

-- Kevin Baxter