Cotto found focus in Florida

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One of the benefits for Miguel Cotto in ending his contentious relationship with his uncle and former coach, Evangelista, is the fact the boxer has been able to move his training camp from Puerto Rico to Tampa, Fla. Although Cotto trained for one fight under Evangelista in Florida, his uncle preferred his gym in Caguas, in central Puerto Rico, where he could keep an eye on the rest of his stable. That, however, was a distraction at times for Cotto, who is a major celebrity on the island and was frequently pulled in multiple directions.

But with longtime friend Joe Santiago now in Cotto’s corner -- literally and figuratively -- the world welterweight champion has prepared for his last two fights in Tampa and says the change in focus will be obvious Saturday when he climbs into the ring to meet six-time titlest Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines.

‘Our plan was to make a camp like this one. With nothing that could distract us from our job,’ Cotto said. ‘And my training partners made me train hard.’

Cotto, Santiago, strength and conditioning coach Phil Landman and the rest of Team Cotto -- which includes a personal chef skilled in making Cotto’s favorite Puerto Rican dishes -- moved into a rented Tampa mansion a month ago to begin work for the Pacquiao fight. But it wasn’t all work. Part of the camp was about relaxing mentally as well as preparing physically.

‘We all lived in the house together. It’s been a good environment,’ Landman said. ‘A lot of team building, a lot of good morale. Being around it all the time, it just creates a little bit more emphasis toward the seriousness of the whole [thing]. It’s just been good being able to focus.’

-- Kevin Baxter