Freddie Roach © Gallo Images

Pacquiao donated money and took time out from sparring to help the victims in the wake of typhoons that killed hundreds of people and rendered tens of thousands of families homeless in the Philippines.

"It was mentally draining for him to see the devastation because thousands passed away but once we stepped into the gym he was fine," trainer Freddie Roach said on Wednesday.

At least 1 000 people died and more than 162 000 had to be moved into makeshift evacuation centres because of back-to-back typhoons Ketsana and Parma.

Pacquiao, with a record of 49-3-2 (27 KOs), said he would have liked to do more but had to get back to training or risk not being fully prepared to face WBO champion Cotto in their November 14 fight in Las Vegas.

"I wanted to help them but I am in the middle of heavy training," said Pacquiao. "It is difficult but I have to focus on my fight; nobody can help me in the ring."

Pacquiao, of General Santos City, is chasing a piece of boxing history by trying to win seven titles in seven weight divisions.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) has been called a throwback fighter but Roach says Pacquiao is more old school.

"Manny is a throwback," said Roach, who is predicting Pacquiao will knock Cotto out. "He is like a Henry Armstrong type of guy.

"He is carrying his punch and his power up with him. This would be one of the greatest achievements ever and he will surpass great ones like Sugar Ray Leonard."

Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles last weekend after training in both Baguio City and Manila for just over a month.

"I am excited," Pacquiao said on Wednesday. "It is going to be great because our styles are kind of similar."

"I am hungry to win this fight. I feel like I am in 100 per cent condition. I can't wait until November 14."

Roach said they had to leave for the US sooner than expected because of the demands on Pacquiao's time in the Philippines.

"He was on fire the whole month there and we had great camp. The weather messed with us but we ran in the rain and we ran inside sometimes.

"The last week in Manila was tougher because everyone was trying to pull him different ways. There were lots of politicians."

Roach said Pacquiao was more popular than American heavyweight Mike Tyson in his prime.

"Manny brightens up a room and he has a great smile. He's the type of fighter that is going to keep boxing alive."

Roach said their game plan against Cotto was to stay away from underdog's devastating left hook and take away his counterpunching ability.

"We watched all the tapes of him ," Roach said. "Cotto has never fought a guy like Manny Pacquiao and I don't think he can handle it.

"He is going to try to be a counterpuncher and not come at us."

Roach said he thinks that if Pacquiao can wear Cotto down then the Puerto Rican star might give up.

"I feel Miguel Cotto can be hit," Roach said. "He took a beating in his fight with Antonio Margarito. He tried to quit in the ninth round holding his eye. We are not going to give him confidence in this fight.

"We are making adjustments for Cotto's style and his big left hook."

While Cotto is fighting at his natural weight of 67 kg, Pacquiao is moving up in class.

Asked if Pacquiao could go even heavier for his next fight, Roach said, "I don't think so. At 147 pounds we have to feed him five times a day to keep the weight on."

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