Cotto vs Mayorga: Miguel Told To Stay Off The Ropes

By Jhonny Gonzalez

WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28KOs) is being ordered to stay off the ropes in the March 12 defense against Ricardo Mayorga at the MGM Grand. Miguel's trainer Emanuel Steward wants his boxer to stay in the middle or the ring, and not against the ropes where Mayorga will have the ability to use his deadly power punches.

"We are working hard in this training camp. Mayorga is a fighter who throws punches from  alot of angles and it's very important to keep Miguel in the middle of the ring, and not have him fighting on the ropes," Steward said.

Cotto is less than two week away from the fight but he feels good and ready for his first bout since last June's title win over Yuri Foreman.

"This training camp has been very good and it's important to be in the best condition possible for this fight. Mayorga has a style that's difficult and we must be very focused at all times in the ring. He has a very strong punch and he will try to push forward, but it does not matter because we are ready for everything," Cotto said.