Lem Satterfield is FanHouse's Boxing Writer and Editor.
LAS VEGAS - While there was little drama during Friday's weigh-in between the competitors, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao, there was an incendiary, obscenity-laced verbal exchange between their respective trainers, Joe Santiago and Freddie Roach, before a boisterous crowd of about 6,500 fans at the MGM Grand Hotel's Garden Arena.
Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts) is defending his WBO welterweight title, a weight-category whose standard is 147 pounds. But since Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is rising from a lower weight, they have agreed to a contracted catchweight of 145 pounds.
All was still relatively calm when Pacquiao stepped onto the scales first and weighed an even 144 pounds -- the most that he ever has for any fight of his professional career.
Pacquiao weighed 142 pounds for his eighth-round knockout of Oscar De La Hoya, and, 138 for his last fight -- a second-round stoppage of Ricky Hatton in May.
Pacquiao, a southpaw, flexed his muscles, arms at his side, and looked ripped.
Shortly thereafter, Cotto briefly took to the scales, flexing his biceps as he weighed-in right at 145 pounds even -- the first time he's been at that weight since knocking out southpaw, Zab Judah, in 2007.
That's when the sparks began to fly.
Santiago, then turned to Roach, pointed at the scale, and appeared to taunt him about the champion's weight.
According to Roach, Santiago then said to him, "145 [pounds] a**hole," as he emphatically continued to gesture at his own fighter and the scale.
Roach became incensed, turned and pursued Santos across the stage.
Trainer Freddie Roach, left, watches the scales while Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, is weighed for his WBO welterweight boxing title fight against Miguel Cotto, of Puerto Rico, Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao came in at 144-pounds. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto poses during the weigh-in for his bout against Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Miguel Cotto
Getty Images
LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: Manny Pacquiao throws mini boxing gloves to the crowd before the weigh-in for his upcoming bout against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Pacquiao
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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: Actor Jeremy Piven speaks to the crowd before the weigh-in for the Manny Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeremy Piven
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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto poses during the weigh-in for his bout against Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Miguel Cotto
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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: Manny Pacquiao (L) and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto stand next to each other during the weigh-in for their bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Pacquiao;Miguel Cotto
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Ring announcer Michael Buffer presents the weigh-in for upcoming bout between WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Ring announcer Michael Buffer presents the weigh-in for upcoming bout between WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (L) talks with actor Jeremy Piven after the weigh-in for his upcoming bout against welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Actor Jeremy Piven speaks before the weigh-in for the upcoming bout of Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (L) talks with actor Jeremy Piven after the weigh-in for his upcoming bout against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand on November 14. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds and Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
"I'm watching Miguel Cotto make weight, and then he makes weight, and then Santiago says, '145-a**hole.' And I said, 'That's how much he's supposed to weigh, and don't call me an a**hole, or I'll [expletive] kick your a**,'" Roach told FanHouse after watching the video.
"And then, Miguel starts staring at me, and I said 'What are the [expletive] you looking at?' And I decided to calm down a little bit, because the last time I hit somebody, it was at a Kinko's, and I got sued," said Roach.
"But when somebody calls me an a**hole, I'm not going to just keep my mouth shut," said Roach. "I mean, 145? He has a contract, that's what he's supposed to weigh. What the [expletive?] Why did you have to call me an a******. He thinks he won the fight because he made weight? "
Santiago's comments were apparent backlash from Roach's having chastised Santiago throughout the promotion for what he perceived as his limited abilities to prepare Cotto.
Further words were exchanged between the two trainers before Top Rank's Carl Moretti stepped in and separated them.
"There was some tension up there on the platform. I don't know how it started or why it started, but two, coolest people on the stage were Manny and Miguel. But that's alright, that's cool, and there's nothing wrong with that," said Moretti.
"Somebody said something to somebody, and they took offense to it," said Moretti. "And no one was backing down, especially the trainers."
well to bad for santiago he is a traitor and so is joe chavez,both want to get somethinfg for nothing but like they say its only buisness,and buisness is cut throat,back stabbing,lowlife kind of characters,classless,but the way cotto looks i think pacman is in big trouble,cotto in 6
Santiago is a good man, stop hating. Cotto's uncle was a jerk. I would've fired him too after the Margarito fight. Did Uncle check Margarito's hand wraps? Don't think so! Cotto looks focused and ready to take Pacman apart! Cotto by KO!
apflipit 11-15-2009 1:00AM
i guess your wrong cause he won
robegrau 11-13-2009 10:51PM
"Roach became incensed, turned and pursued Santos across the stage." Lem, you need glasses. That never happened you idiot! Watch the video.
Manny is more than just a great fighter of legendary power he is a global icon and a phenom but he will not knock out Cotto. It is disrespectful to all of Cottos accomplishments to say that Pac man will knock him out early in the fight. They are talking about Cotto like his heart is less than legendary, yes legendary , and there is still more to come. who else can withstand a concrete glove beatdown for 11 rounds, no one , not even the boxing god Manny Paquiao. If Manny wins it will be by decision. If you really think manny can knock out Cotto please go to vegas and bet your money. I mean doesnt Cottos wars with Mosely and with the cynderblock gloves of margarito mean anything to you. Oh by the way when the hell is Aaron Pryor going to stop being a scumbag coward and admit that he cheated the now defunct great legendary champion and in contrast to "the hawk" class act Alexis Arguello. Theses cheating coward make me sick.
UNCLE CHOPPY 11-14-2009 5:47AM
Watch the video of the weigh in on Youtube..How exagerated is this story? Wasn't even close to a brawl..It's called hyping a press conference.
Lol Cotto will be cushed,every time he fights the Cotto fans come out talking about how easy he will win,Then when he gets crushed they make excuses.This fight will be no different.
khidd35 11-14-2009 8:08AM
manny is the best fighter alive, but he and mayweather will be a great fight
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
well to bad for santiago he is a traitor and so is joe chavez,both want to get somethinfg for nothing but like they say its only buisness,and buisness is cut throat,back stabbing,lowlife kind of characters,classless,but the way cotto looks i think pacman is in big trouble,cotto in 6
Santiago is a good man, stop hating. Cotto's uncle was a jerk. I would've fired him too after the Margarito fight. Did Uncle check Margarito's hand wraps? Don't think so! Cotto looks focused and ready to take Pacman apart! Cotto by KO!
i guess your wrong cause he won
"Roach became incensed, turned and pursued Santos across the stage." Lem, you need glasses. That never happened you idiot! Watch the video.
cotto in 12
once manny cuts this bum it's all over .Pacman moving up weight with his speed means he will throw faster hard punches.
Pacman will win by ko in 9th or 10th round.
Too close to call. Should be awesome !
I can't wait to see what excuses Mayweather is going to make to dodge Pacquiao after Manny hands Cotto the worst beating of his life.
The winner of this fight should fight floyd mayweather
after the bout which manny will win, mayweather will announce his second retirement...
Its always fights like this that you think will be the fight of the decade that end up sucking....Pacquiao, winner by decision.
Manny is more than just a great fighter of legendary power he is a global icon and a phenom but he will not knock out Cotto. It is disrespectful to all of Cottos accomplishments to say that Pac man will knock him out early in the fight. They are talking about Cotto like his heart is less than legendary, yes legendary , and there is still more to come. who else can withstand a concrete glove beatdown for 11 rounds, no one , not even the boxing god Manny Paquiao. If Manny wins it will be by decision. If you really think manny can knock out Cotto please go to vegas and bet your money. I mean doesnt Cottos wars with Mosely and with the cynderblock gloves of margarito mean anything to you. Oh by the way when the hell is Aaron Pryor going to stop being a scumbag coward and admit that he cheated the now defunct great legendary champion and in contrast to "the hawk" class act Alexis Arguello. Theses cheating coward make me sick.
Watch the video of the weigh in on Youtube..How exagerated is this story? Wasn't even close to a brawl..It's called hyping a press conference.
can manny do this?.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXTxlcD-17o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXTxlcD-17o
can manny beat zab judah?...i dont think so...just think about it.
EXACTLY!!!!
Lol Cotto will be cushed,every time he fights the Cotto fans come out talking about how easy he will win,Then when he gets crushed they make excuses.This fight will be no different.
manny is the best fighter alive, but he and mayweather will be a great fight