By Rey Colon
WBA junior middleweight champion, Miguel Cotto, has made it clear that he won't fight Manny Pacquiao at the welterweight limit of 147-pounds, where Pacquiao holds the WBO title. When the two boxers fought in 2009, a catch-weight of 145-pounds was mandatory in reaching the deal. Cotto was stopped in the twelfth round of that fight.
For the rematch, which has a tentative date of June 9th in Las Vegas, Pacquiao refuses to fight Cotto above 147. This time around, Cotto will not give in. Pacquiao has to fight him at comfortable weight limit.
"He had no problems in dealing with [Antonio] Margarito at 150. He hasn't had problems with anyone regarding weight. With Joshua Clottey, they fought at 147. I drove down to 145. The [rematch], I'm going to do it at my weight. I will not sacrifice my body again for the benefit of another boxer. It won't happen at 147 pounds," Cotto (37-2, 30 KO's) said to BoxingScene.com.
"We are waiting for the offer to come and dedicate ourselves to train and win. In the next two weeks, we hope to have a response on the whole thing."
Another big option for Cotto, is a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. According to Cotto's team members, the issue of weight would not be a problem in a Mayweather fight.
"With the correct preparation, we would have no problem with anyone. This is not a deadline but we are waiting. It will come. What Pacquiao's group says about the weight, I do not care. They say that money talks. We'll see what happens," Cotto said.
