It seems as if Puerto Rican boxing star Miguel Cotto needs to refocus himself before returning to the ring on June 13 to face Joshua Clottey at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
With his team facing a major shift in personnel after Miguel dumped long-time trainer Evangelista Cotto in a very dysfunctional fashion, one would think Cotto’s attention would be laser-like on the ruggedly dangerous Clottey and becoming accustomed to his new head coach Joe Santiago.
No, instead of going to his Tampa, Florida area training camp and worrying about June 13, Cotto and company seem to be more interested in Manny Pacquiao than Clottey.
With a Pacquiao – Cotto showdown being discussed in the media and by members of Pacquiao’s team (such as trainer Freddie Roach), Cotto informed Puerto Rican daily Primera Hora that he would never face Pacquiao below a 145 pound weight.
That might be all good and plenty, but Cotto has a legitimate 147 pound fighter in front of him which could de-rail his Pacquiao dreams and the rest of his career.
After losing to the hands, or should I say casts, of Antonio Margarito and taking a brutal beating en-route, many wonder if there is much gasolina left in the Boricua’s tank. A one sided drubbing of Michael Jennings last February did very little to answer that question.
Clottey will answer the question, but the answer may be, “Cotto has nothing left.”
Though Cotto is one of boxing’s best, his resume as a welterweight is suspect. In his most significant fights at 147 pounds, Cotto went tooth and nails with chronic underachiever Zab Judah en route to a KO victory, escaped with a decision against Shane Mosley, and was starched down the stretch by Margarito.
Clottey may not be a household name, but his relentless offensive attach could cause problems for anyone in the welterweight division. Ask Antonio Margarito, who escaped with a unanimous decision against the Ghana born fighter.
Cotto – Pacquiao could be one incredible event for the boxing world, pitting two of boxing’s best fighters and national fan bases, but before it can happen,Cotto must take care of some uncertain business.
And for the record, if anyone in boxing’s power based asked, I would rather see Manny vs. Floyd Mayweather — assuming Floyd takes cares of his somewhat uncertain business with Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18.
