By Mark Vester

WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is very satisfied with his new training team. After a nasty split with uncle/former trainer Evangelista Cotto, Miguel brought in Joe Santiago as the new head trainer. Santiago has been a member of Team Cotto for some time but not in a training capacity. Cotto is also happy to train in Tampa, Florida, instead of Puerto Rico where there are many distractions. On June 13 in New York's Madison Square Garden, Cotto defends his title against Joshua Clottey.  

Cotto says the training camp has a different vibe. There was an internal feud with his uncle for some time. After one final argument over the location of the training camp, the two finally came to blows when Miguel fired his uncle, his uncle punched for the fences, and Miguel sent his uncle to the hospital - but not before Evangelista threw a cement block through the wind of Miguel's new car. Miguel's brother may also join the team.

"There was a voice telling me that things were not good between us. I feel better now to have a more [someone how is] more attentive to my needs and the necessary work should be done to win the next fight," Cotto told Primera Hora. "As of right now I have not spoken with my uncle.

"We [Cotto and Santiago] have always worked well together. Joe was the person who was in charge of the camp in the past and he knows me from my days as an amateur. If [brother Jose Cotto] is given the opportunity [to be part of the team], he will be well received."

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