Cotto Fight Details Still To Be Cleared

Before parting ways in New York on Sunday, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum left word that he’ll come up with something concrete in two week’s time regarding the Filipino’s Nov. 14 fight.

While Arum has temporarily booked Pacquiao to face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in an all-Top Rank affair at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, there are major issues to be resolved, tops on the list are the revenue split and the catch weight.

“Bob told us he will connect the dots in two weeks time,” said Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal, who arrived in Manila with Pacquiao late Monday night via Northwest Airlines.

Cotto is coming off a hard-earned 12-round split decision over Joshua Clottey and the shaven-skulled puncher told the Puerto Rican press upon arrival at the Luis Munoz Marin International in San Juan that negotiations have yet to start.

“Nothing is concrete right now,” said Cotto. “But if terms are accepted, I will accept the fight (with Pacquiao).”

The Puerto Rican press also asked Cotto if reports are true that Emanuel Steward, the discoverer of Thomas Hearns, is being eyed to join his training team.

Cotto did not deny or confirm the report, saying he is open to anything that will help enhance his future performances.

If there is one sure thing at the moment, Gacal said it is the fact that “Manny won’t fight Cotto at 147 lbs. He’s just too big (at that weight class).”

Arum said that “reason will (eventually) prevail” and the two will likely meet halfway, say 143 or 144 lbs.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) that Shane Mosley is also being looked at as a possibility despite his supposedly lack of a fanbase.

If Arum fails to match Pacquiao and Cotto, “we’ll reach out to Shane,” Arum told Lance Pugmire. Golden Boy Promotions said Mosley is “willing to make concessions.”

Meanwhile, Pacquiao flew to Bohol late Tuesday afternoon to reunite with his kids and from picturesque province, the pound-for-pound will proceed to General Santos City using the private plane of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson.

Pacquiao left his kids there for the whirlwind visit to New York and promised them that he’ll be back shortly for some more bonding time after it was cut short by his quick trip to the Big Apple.


BY: NICK GIONGCO
article source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/207088/cotto-fight-details-still-be-cleared

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Manny Pacquiao Early Career

Pacquiao started his professional boxing career at the age of 16 at 106 lbs (Light Flyweight). His early fights took place in small local venues and were shown on Vintage Sports' Blow by Blow, an evening boxing show. His professional debut was a 4-round bout against Edmund "Enting" Ignacio on January 22, 1995, which Pacquiao won via decision, becoming an instant star of the program. Close friend Mark Penaflorida's death in 1994 spurred the young Pacquiao to pursue a professional boxing career.

His weight increased from 106 to 113 lbs before losing in his 12th bout against Rustico Torrecampo via a third-round knockout (KO). Pacquiao had not made the weight. So he was forced to use heavier gloves than Torrecampo, thereby putting Pacquiao at a disadvantage.[7]

Shortly after the Torrecampo fight, Pacquiao settled at 112 lbs, winning the WBC Flyweight title over Chatchai Sasakul in the eighth round only to lose it in his second defense against Medgoen Singsurat or Medgoen 3K Battery, via a third-round knockout on a bout held at Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Technically, Pacquiao lost the belt at the scales as he surpassed the weight limit of 112 lbs (51 kg).

Following his loss to Singsurat, Pacquiao gained weight anew. This time, Pacquiao went to the Super Bantamweight division of 122 lbs (55 kg), where he picked up the WBC International Super Bantamweight title. He defended the title five times before his chance for a world title fight came.

Pacquiao's big break came on June 23, 2001, against IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao stepped into the fight as a late replacement and won the fight by technical knockout to become the IBF Super Bantamweight champion on a bout held at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. He defended this title five times and fought to a sixth-round draw against Agapito Sánchez in a bout that was stopped early after Pacquiao received 2 headbutts.