Pacquiao-Cotto weigh in

NEVADA - Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao may have finally found his comfort zone at the welterweight division because the Filipino southpaw is happier than he has ever seen him before a fight.

"If he couldn't eat the day before the weigh in, he was mad at the world," said Paquiao's trainer Roach. "He would be on edge because couldn't eat. Now he can have breakfast and lunch before the weigh in and he is smiling and I have a happy fighter."

Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto both weighed in Friday for their welterweight fight for Cotto's World Boxing Organization title at the MGM Grand hotel and casino.

The fight is being fought at the catch weight of 145 pounds which is exactly what Cotto tipped the scales at.

Challenger Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds.

The fight has been sold out for weeks and there was a standing room only crowd of about 6,500 for Friday's official weigh in at the Grand Garden Arena.

Both fighters spoke briefly to their fans but did not engage each other on the podium. There were words exchanged between Cotto's trainer Joe Santiago and Roach. Roach has labelled Santiago inexperienced and has been saying in the build up to the fight that he doubts Cotto would make the 145 pound weight.

The two had to be separated by their respective camps.

The weigh in had all the drama of a fight night as the pro-Cotto and pro-Pacquiao supporters took turns shouting each other down. Hollywood actor Jeremy Piven introduced both fighters and joked with Pacquiao about his reputation for late-night partying.

"This is like the Jimmy Kimmel (US talk) show. Funny," said Pacquiao, who weighed in wearing his boxer shorts and a pair of white socks. "When I start to train for the fight there is no more night time. Thank you Filipinos for coming."

Cotto also thanked his supporters as he took the scales in just his underwear.

"Thanks for coming," Cotto said. "I will put on a great show. It will be a great day for Puerto Rico and Latin America people."

Organizers turned away thousands of boxing fans who waited outside the arena behind a barrier. Those lucky enough to get into the weigh in included some who began lining up at 5:30 am.

A crowd of just over 16,000 is expected to attend the bout at the Garden Arena and it will be shown on HBO pay per view.

The fight will start about 8:00 pm local time (0400 GMT) and organizers expect it to be shown live to more than a million households, hotels, bars and auditoriums around the world.

Roach said he is so pleased with the way training camp has gone the past couple of weeks he will try to get Pacquiao to fight more at this weight.

"People kill themselves to make weight. It is over-rated," Roach said. "When I have a happy fighter he fights well.

"He will be smiling in the ring walk and he is enjoying every bit of this."

Pacquiao will be trying to win his seventh world title in as many divisions and what amazes boxing experts is he hasn't show any signs of losing power as he fights bigger stronger opponents.

Pacquiao's six titles came in a half dozen weight classes ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. He weighed just 106 pounds in his pro debut in 1995 and captured his first title in the 112-pound flyweight division.

"As he gains weight his speed and power are both improving and it is hard to explain why," Roach said. "He is comfortable at it so we are going to stay there."

Some heavy hitters were also in attendance at the weigh in including boxing hall of famer Roberto Duran of Panama and Mexico's Antonio Margarito who is the only man to have taken down Cotto when he beat him in a controversial decision last year.

Asked to predict a winner Saturday, Margarito, who is under suspension for using illegal gloves in another fight, just shook his head and said no.

Filipino boxing fan Brian Shelledy, of Los Angeles, isn't shy about giving his opinion.

"Manny Pacquiao represents all the good values of Filipino people," said the 37-year-old computer technician. "He is a hard worker, has genuine respect and is humble.

"He comes from a poor background and Filipinos can relate to the way he grew up."

New York policeman Gabriel Dones and shipping clerk Mike Maldonado flew in Thursday night from New York to cheer the Puerto Rican champ on.

"(Cotto) is going to win because Pacquiao hasn't fought anybody with Cotto's power," said Maldonado, 29.

They paid 325 dollars each for their tickets and said it was worth every penny.

"Cotto has a passion for the sport and a passion for the Puerto Rican people," Dones said.