Boxing negotiations are all part of the business. Yet they get so many fans bent of shape. The recent snag in the proposed Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto November 14th fight are weight concerns. Team Pacquiao wants 143, while Miguel Cotto wants 145. So what does that tell me? It tells me this fight will be at 144 pounds. There are people out there though, giving Manny a tough time about this catch-weight stuff, but you have to realize, Manny is calling the shots. If Cotto wants this fight he needs to accept concessions. Miguel Cotto will not sniff a 5 or 6 million dollar pay day with any other fighter, so he will have to make these weight concessions if he wants to hit the jack pot. People need to get off Team Pacquiao’s back and let them dictate the terms. Manny is the draw, Cotto isn’t.
Pacquiao Not a Welterweight
This is the main reason why people need to lay-off Pacquiao and this catch weight stuff. Pacquiao is not a welterweight. In fact, he still could probably make lightweight if he really wanted to and still be comfortable. Pacquiao began last year fighting at 130, now people are expecting him to give a strong welterweight an advantage. People forget Miguel Cotto has the best left hook to the body in the business. So why should he give away an advantage to a naturally bigger man. Miguel Cotto has balloned to 160 pounds before when weighing in at the 147 pound limit. Also who can forget the time when then Jr. Welterweight Miguel Cotto came into the ring at 157 against Demarcus Corley a few years back. If Cotto wants this fight he needs to give into Pacman’s demands.
Mosley gave away 144 or 143, so why can’t Cotto
Shane Mosley took a lot of cricticism for his recent campaign for a Manny Pacquiao fight. But if anything one positive came from this, and it came for Team Pacquiao. That is getting weight concessions from Cotto. Shane Mosley stated in interviews that he would come down as low as 144 and that he was negotiable for a 143 weight limit. This has given Team Pacquiao leverage. Not that they will fight Mosley, but they can use that to counter offer Cotto’s weight demand. In my mind, this is all a bluff. Team Pacquiao will not allow Manny to fight Mosley at 143. They are full of it. But it is a smart ploy, trying to get Cotto to come down to 144. Pacquiao will fight Cotto at 144 before they would fight Mosley at 143. In fact, if push comes to shove and Cotto does not move from this demand of 145, they still won’t fight Mosley at 143. Cotto is the perceived easier risk/reward fight. I think Cotto will come down to 144, his nutritionist said he could do it, so why not.
What will Happen
Simple. Tickets are already on sale at the MGM Grand, so what do you think. Manny Pacquiao will fight Miguel Cotto at 144 pounds. Top Rank will not let this fight fail, and Cotto will not pass on a payday and a career defining opportunity. He will take the risk. That is why he is a great warrior. People need to layoff Team Pacquiao, they are calling the shots. And if they say 143 or 144, then that is what it should be. I don’t see any problem with him meeting Cotto half way. I just wish it would have been Mosley. But that is a different story for a different day.
Gatti
With the tragic death Arturo Gatti, boxing lost its greatest warrior of the last 20 years. Nobody gave more of themselves to the sport then Gatti. His 3 fights with Mickey Ward were special. He comeback wins against Wilson Rodriguez and Gabriel Ruelas were legendary. RIP Arturo Gatti, you will be remembered for what you did for the sport and for what you did for fight fans.
