Manny Pacquiao jokes with reporters after arriving in Las Vegas yesterday for his scheduled WBO welterweight championship match with Miguel Cotto on November 14.

American trainer Freddie Roach admits he’s been playing mind games for his prized ward Manny Pacquiao to gain more advantage in his upcoming fight with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

In an overseas call with The Bulletin from Las Vegas, Roach disclosed he wants to get the goat of Cotto and eventually force the defending world welterweight champion to lose focus and brawl with Pacquiao.

One of those tactics, Roach said, was his being very vocal during interviews about predicting a first round knockout win for the current pound-for-pound king.

“When I declared a first round knockout Cotto went crazy. Anything that I can do to get into his head I will. But I still believe Manny will knock Cotto out either in the 9th or 10th round,” said Roach.

Cotto will stake his World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-lb belt against Pacquiao Sunday morning (Manila time) at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Cotto agreed to defend his crown at a catch weight of 145lbs. with a stipulation that the Puerto Rican needs to pay a fine of $1-million for every excess pound during the weigh-in.

Roach believes an aggressive Cotto will work wonders for Pacquiao as it will enable the Filipino pound-for-pound king to maximize his superb advantage in speed and agility. Despite that, Roach asserts that they are ready for the possibility of Cotto switching to being a tactical fighter from time to time.

“He may even fight as a southpaw because Cotto’s a natural left-hander. But Cotto never fought a guy like Manny Pacquiao. I really don’t think Cotto can handle Manny’s speed,” said Roach. “He’s very hittable and whoever Manny hits gets knocked out. Manny has been punching faster and so much harder than he ever has.”

As for Pacquiao’s future, Roach said he wants to see the Filipino finally settle his longstanding ring issue with Juan Manuel Marquez. Roach also believes there will be a huge clamor among fight fans of a bout with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. especially if Pacquiao scores an emphatic victory this weekend.

“Anyone who wants to fight Manny, it has to be below welterweight. We actually have to feed him five times a day for him to gain weight and make 147. I think this will be a final stop unless something comes at 154, maybe we’ll go there.”