Miguel Cotto is showing signs that he is just being forced by Arum to accept the Pacquiao fight, Arum is force feeding the fighters with each other so Arum can collect 100% of the promotion money. As I have written in an article 2 months ago, 2009 is not the right year for a Pacquiao-Cotto Showdown, the timing is just not right because the Filipino icon is ready for a fight as early as September and is publicly saying that he wants a fight in October while Cotto still needs to heal his wounds incurred in the Clottey fight and might only be 100% ready to fight at the earliest on January 2010.

Pacquiao for a fact wouldn’t mind fighting Mosley if Arum wants it done, Pacman never pushes his choice for an opponent as he leaves that to his promoter which he always say at every post fight interview. The problem is with Bob Arum, who even announces a premature confirmation of the fight even though everything is not yet iron out as many important details has yet to be agreed on and signed. Arum obviously is banking on the idea that if he announces that the fight is on to the public, he will be able to pressure his fighters and their respective camps to just sign the contract and fight.

Cotto obviously in not excited with his showdown with Pacquiao despite the two parties giving each other ground with Cotto having his 145 catchweight and November schedule demand and Pacquiao getting his 65-35 share. Cotto is still holding back by refusing to let his WBO belt up for grabs for the fight and would even consider vacating the title just to deny Pacquiao the chance at the historical 7 division champion record, despite the fact that Arum is willing to pay the sanctioning fee for both fighters, which goes to show that money is not the reason why Cotto is refusing to risk the title.

Miguel Cotto is saying that if Pacquiao wants the belt he should fight it at the welterweight limit of 147 which I think he is right. But the thing is why would Cotto demand the extra 2 pounds for the title to be at stake when Cotto already got his wish of 145, which is also within the welterweight class and is actually just 2 pound off the limit. Cotto actually weighed 146 in his last fight with Clottey, he should consider that he is fighting a much smaller man and having Pacquiao agree to fight him at 145 already gives Cotto a big advantage so why not just give the small man a chance at the belt which he is willing to vacate anyway. Besides if he truly believes in what he’s saying publicly that he’s beating Pacquiao then whats the worry.

Personally, I believe Pacquiao should take a chance and fight Cotto at 147 just to shut the critics up, I know Pacquiao will be willing to do it if his advisers and Freddie Roach would tell him to, but we can’t blame them for protecting Pacquiao besides Pacquiao is the cash-cow in this fight so why would they give in all the way to Cotto’s demands. Cotto should remember that there are other superstars lining up to fight Pacquiao most notably Sugar Shane Mosley which is more than willing to stake his WBC crown even at a Welterweight catchweight minimum of 141, so if Miguel Cotto is having so much problems with the agreement regarding the belt then he should just backout from the fight and rest first and wait for next year to fight Pacquiao when the timing is perfect.

I believe a November fight for Cotto is too early for him due to his injuries with the Clottey fight and Cotto knows it, maybe that’s why he is willing to give up financial ground just to gain physical grounds with Pacquiao to lessen his risk of a 2nd high profile loss. Miguel Cotto should just pass up this big payday chance for now and backout as there is still next year for a Pacquiao or Mosley or even Mayweather showdown which will still be a huge payday and where he will be physically ready. Cotto should just give way to a Mosley-Pacquiao showdown this year which will probably happen in October as both fighters are ready to fight and just wait for a 2010 showdown with the winner.

　

　

by Sunday Zamuco