Why cotto lost to pacquiao
Of course it's a business, but all we want is fair business. You can say to Bob to tell me he made that offer to me to my face, and you will see his reaction. I've never said no to anybody, but you need to treat me fairly in business. For the bout he had agreed to go down to pounds, two less than the welterweight limit, and said it took its toll. If he had taken the rematch at , it would mean dropping 4 pounds below the junior middleweight limit, which is where Cotto has fought his four bouts since his loss to Pacquiao.
They make the other guy have trouble making weight and they take advantage of that. I wasn't going to do that again. I am pounds. I am not going to fight at a catchweight and make myself weak. So even though Cotto will make far less to fight Trout than he would have made against Pacquiao -- although Cotto wouldn't divulge his purse for the upcoming fight -- he sounded satisfied with what he has in front of him.
He's a dangerous fighter and he was the right opponent for me, but I'll still walk out of the ring with another belt. Cotto said one of his motivations for facing Trout was the opportunity to win yet another title. He has already claimed four belts in three divisions: junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight.
He lost his junior middleweight title to Mayweather via competitive decision in one of the toughest fights of Mayweather's career. I am going to be in New York, my second home, in front of a huge Puerto Rican and Latin crowd, fighting for them, fighting for my country and fighting for myself. Cotto reinvigorated his career with an emotional revenge victory against Antonio Margarito in December and seemed to get another lift by his performance against Mayweather, even though he lost.
It gave me more energy to work for more things. I'm happy now and working hard. You can ask [Mayweather] how it was. I know he never faced a guy like Miguel Cotto before.
If Cotto gets past Trout, whose technical style and quickness could pose problems, he would be open to a rematch with Mayweather or a showdown with junior middleweight titlist Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, which would be a big-time fight in the Puerto Rico-versus-Mexico boxing rivalry. Mayweather, fine. After this fight, we can sit with his promoter [Golden Boy] and we can figure out something. We can see if we can make this fight reality.
I'm ready to face anyone in the sport in my division. Cotto, meanwhile, was pure predator. His focus could be seen in the opening round, too, as he jabbed, and double jabbed. He moved intelligently and swiped accurately at every opening. BUT the Filipino was preparing to take over.
Cotto was brilliant in the early rounds, but Pacquiao was even better. In the third round, Cotto touched down from a powerful left. His body resisted the fall but his glove touched the canvas and a count was issued. The Puerto Rican fired back with expert punches, stinging Pacquiao, but the ferocity of the smaller man would not be denied.
AT the end of a glorious fourth, Cotto walked straight onto a savage left uppercut. It was testament to his fitness and guts that he survived the round but he was never the same again.
His steep descent quickened, and it would be a brutal fall. Pacquiao throws better combinations and has superior footwork to Cotto, but the Puerto Rican star is the superior counter puncher and the more efficient pressure fighter. Edge: Even. Power: Pacquiao has exhibited damaging punches above pounds in his last two fights, but his power is still a question mark against a true welterweight who is in his prime. He uses it to either gradually break down his opponents as he did against Carlos Quintana and Zab Judah or to earn respect as he did against Mosley and Clottey.
Edge: Cotto. Not since a prime Roy Jones Jr. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Cotto is a strong fighter and a very good athlete but his hand speed, reflexes and coordination are merely above average. Edge: Pacquiao. Defense: Neither fighter is a defensive wizard. Pacquiao lifts his head as he unloads his punches. Cotto leans his chin forward when he lets his hands go. Pacquiao is vulnerable to the jab, straight rights and counter hooks.
Cotto is vulnerable to the jab and uppercuts from either hand. Pacquiao keeps a reasonably high guard and often uses his legs to maneuver away from punches. Cotto also keeps a high guard and is fairly adept at picking off incoming shots with his gloves and rolling with punches. Experience: Pacquiao is a year veteran he turned pro at 16 who has 19 more fights than Cotto. He fought for his first world title against excellent flyweight beltholder Chatchai Sasakul 11 years ago, when Cotto was still an amateur.