Kermit Cintron knows you can’t win it unless you’re in it.
And, when it comes to Manny Pacquaio Millionaires Lottery, the Puerto Rican born veteran has gotten hismself a ticket. It was formally announced Thursday by Bob Arum and Todd duBoef of Pacman promoter Top Rank that the company is moving forward to promote the flexibile fighter who can compete at either welterweight or junior middleweight.
I rang Arum in Puerto Rico, where his marvelous little champ Juan Manuel Lopez fights Saturday night, to ask about plans for the James Prince handled Cintron. (Prince being the Houston Rap-A-Lot music mogul who used to manage Floyd Mayweather Jr. before they had a money dispute.)
It should be noted that this was not momentous “breaking news” as it was widely known in fight circles that Lou DiBella, who had trouble landing meaningful bouts for Cintron, had made a deal in which he shares with Top Rank.
“Absolutely, Cintron’s name goes on the list of possible Pacquiao opponents. We’re not looking past Sugar Shane Mosley and his bout with Manny on May 7,” Arum said. “But I’ve got a guy, meaning Manny, who plans on fighting five more times and I’ve got to have guys who can give him hard fights. Cintron is one of those guys.” Advertisement
Arum said Cintron might also fit in as the next foe for the Antonio Margarito-Miguel Cotto revenge match winner. Tone Loc and the Boricua Bomber were to rumble in July in New Jersey but the Mexican veteran is still recovering from wounds caused by the thumping he took last November from Pacquiao.
“The doctors said to push it back to September and we have,” Arum said. “Now the fight will be in Vegas, not in New Jersey. Cintron is a good opponent for the winner of that fight as well.
Lawyer Josh Dubin and and Prince are co-managers of Cintron who has a record of 31-2-1 with 27 knockouts. (He’s been stopped twice by Margarito and lost on a technical decision to Paul Williams.)
It was Prince who guided Mosley away from Top Rank rival Golden Boy. Arum said his dealings with the music man have gone smooth, dating back to when he advised Mayweather.
“Kermit is a big puncher with knockout power,” said chief trainer Ronnie Shields. “I’ve been with Kermit for his last five fights. He can take you out with either hand. There is a lot of excitement when Kermit gets into the ring.”
