INQUIRER Sports

BAGUIO CITY— Legendary American trainer Freddie Roach wants one specific but stricter rule implemented in the 12-round WBO welterweight title fight between his prized ward Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto.

Roach said he would insist during the rules meeting that an automatic disqualification be imposed for the first intentional low blow thrown during the Nov. 14 showdown in Las Vegas.

“Cotto tends to get dirty when the going gets tough in most of his fights and I don’t want that to happen,” said Roach during an interview with the Inquirer Sunday morning at the upscale Manor Hotel. “I will make sure the referee will be very strict about it.”

Roach said Cotto got away with a foul blow against American Zab Judah back in November 2007.

Though Cotto stopped Judah in the 11th round, the American did not easily give up and even had the Puerto Rican wobbly at times.

“Cotto stops his opponents’ momentum with that kind of blow. In that Judah fight he had five low blows,” said Roach.

Roach said he’s also concerned about the choice of referee for the bout, saying he learned that seasoned referee Joe Cortez has the inside track on the job.

“Joe Cortez is Puerto Rican and he’s in the running as one of the referees. I don’t want him letting Cotto get away with stuff like that. We’re going to make an issue out of it first,” said Roach.

Meantime Roach dismissed rumors they plan to leave earlier than expected for the United States after heavy rains hampered Pacquiao’s training last week.