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Confident Cotto speaks up on Pacquiao-Mayweather

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/05/2009 1:30 PM

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MANILA – Miguel Cotto may be opposite Manny Pacquiao in the main feature of the “Firepower” bout but the clamor for a Pacman-Floyd Mayweather Jr. match up never seems to stop.

This prompted the Puerto Rican champ to give his two cents worth on the possible Pacquiao-Mayweather match.

“He (Pacquiao) can fight Mayweather as many times as he wants after I beat him,” Cotto told Agence France-Presse.

The fighter from Puerto Rico, deemed as the underdog in the "Fire Power" match, will put his WBO welterweight title on the line when he faces Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The boxers will also slug it out for the WBC diamond belt.

Mayweather’s name surfaces whenever Pacquiao and Cotto are being interviewed as boxing fans wonder if a Pacman-Floyd Jr. match will ever push through.

Economics of the fight

Fans and critics alike said that if Pacquiao gets past Cotto, the Mayweather match would be within reach.

His adviser Mike Koncz told abs-cbnNEWS.com that it could take place “if the economics of the fight is right.”

Even boxing coach Freddie Roach said he would want Pacquiao to take on Mayweather, saying that it is a match fans would definitely want to see.

Pacquiao, however, said it might not happen because all Mayweather thinks is the money.

Tough guy

Despite his pronouncements that he will prevail over Pacquiao, Cotto maintained respect for the Filipino boxing superstar because of his achievements.

“He has earned everything he has," stated Cotto. “Manny looked good against Oscar De La Hoya and (Ricky) Hatton. But I'm not Oscar or Hatton. Manny chose the right time to fight Oscar.”

Cotto even reminded that he only has 1 loss (34-1, with 27 knockouts) while Pacquiao has 3 defeats (49-3-2, with 27 KOs).

“It is the most important fight of my career, but we'll have to see on the 14th if he is the toughest guy I have fought in my career,” remarked Cotto.

Dead-set

Cotto earlier told ABS-CBN News that his training camp for “Firepower” was probably the best he has ever had.

“The communication between team members, all the focus I have for this fight make this the best ever,” he said.

In his media day at the Pound-4-Pound Gym in Los Angeles, California, Cotto reportedly looked “dead serious in his preparation for the biggest fight of his life,” according to PhilBoxing.com.

He did not even clown around with the Latino media. In addition, the welterweight champion looked “extremely fit.”

Cotto and Pacquiao have agreed to fight at a catch weight of 145 lbs. – With reports from Ma. Rosanna Mina, abs-cbnNEWS.com; Ed de la Vega, PhilBoxing.com; and Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News