LOS ANGELES: Miguel Cotto has no qualms about being listed as the bookmakers’ underdog for his WBO welterweight title defense against Filipino Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas next week.

The Puerto Rican, who has an enviable career record of 34-1 featuring 27 knockouts, is confident his power and meticulous preparation will trump Pacquiao’s speed when the fighters clash on Nov. 14.

“I don’t know anything about the betting business,” Cotto said on a conference call from his training camp in Las Vegas on Thursday. “I am just here to try to bring my best every day in the gym.

“With all the work I make in my training camp, I am going to the fight to win money.

“I am here for myself, not for any kind of bet.

“I am prepared for anything Manny can bring to this fight.

He has a lot of things besides his speed and I am prepared for all he can show me at this time.”

Pacquiao, (49-3-2, 37 KOs), is widely viewed as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world but Cotto believes the Filipino southpaw has picked the wrong opponent for his first bout in the welterweight division.

“Manny comes from a lower weight division and if he thinks he is going to have the same power as Miguel Cotto, he is thinking pretty wrong,” the Puerto Rican said.

“He has picked the wrong moment and the wrong fighter. If he thinks he is going to win against Miguel Cotto, he is pretty wrong.”

Cotto, who retained his WBO title with a gruelling split decision win over Ghana’s Joshua Clottey in June, was confident he would be able to cope with Pacquiao’s renowned speed.