Trainer Freddie Roach (left) watches while his Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao poses after the weigh-in for his WBO welterweight boxing title fight against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, Friday, November 13, 2009 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo)

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, November 13, 2009 (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao has made no secret of his political ambitions outside the ring but dabbling in government isn't the same as taking it on as a full-time career, says trainer Freddie Roach.

Roach said Pacquiao my run for office in his native Philippines, but after the fighter gets a taste of political life Roach expects him to eventually return to his boxing roots.

"I would love to see him go out on top," Roach said. "The thing is he can fight for a long time, because his work ethic is so great.

"Once he gets into politics and finds out how corrupt it is he will come back to boxing. He can do more as a boxer than a politician for his countrymen. Although he's proven me wrong before."

Pacquiao faces Miguel Cotto in a World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight Saturday at the MGM Grand hotel and casino.

The first round of the fight will be dangerous for both fighters and Roach said their plan is to hit Cotto with some big shots from the opening bell.

"I don't have to tell him the game plan anymore," Roach said. "It is automatic now. I make moves in training like Cotto makes in the fight. It is like a dance. He knows exactly what to do in those situations.

Roach says they can shake Cotto's confidence by hitting him early.

"We are going to start quick. We always start quick anyway.

"We are going to show our power in the first round and hit him to remind him of the punches he took in the (Antonio) Margarito fight.

"We are not going to go in and start swinging at him we are going to do it smart. We will walk Cotto into a fight because he follows and when he follows we will take advantage of that."

Roach said if the smaller Pacquiao doesn't have the power to knock Cotto out then he can wear him down with his superior hand speed and lightning quick feet.

"I honestly don't think we are going to knock him out," said Roach. "We are going to make him quit."

"Manny's foot movement and speed is too much for Cotto. That's where the fight is won in foot speed and that is where Manny excels."

After watching hours of tape of Cotto in his most recent fights, Roach predicts he will do one of two things.

"He is going to use his strength and come forward and show us he is a bigger stronger guy or he is going to try to become a counterpuncher. But you can't become someone else in an eight-week period. We have a perfect game plan, I think."