By Mark Vester
The family situation between WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and his uncle/former trainer Evangelista Cotto has just gotten worse. On Thursday Evangelista filed a lawsuit against his nephew in Puerto Rico, looking to recover $7.5 million dollars in damages. The main claim was a breach of contract. He named Miguel's promotional company in the lawsuit as well.
The other part of the lawsuit has to do with the physical altercation between Miguel and Evangelista on April 7 at their gym in Caguas, Puerto Rico. After a heated war or words, Evangelista struck Miguel and the two began to scuffle in the gym. The dispute began when Miguel wanted to move the training camp to Florida and Evangelista refused. Miguel would then fire his uncle and a the brawl began. The two were broken up but they continued their fight on the streets and Evangelista threw a concrete brick through the window of Cotto's new Jaguar. Miguel made claims at the time of the incident that Evangelista trashed his apartment. Evangelista was later taken to a hospital with a damage to his ribs and a broken nose. Miguel suffered some minor scratches.
In the lawsuit papers, Evangelista claims that "Miguel Angel Cotto brutally attacked his uncle and causing serious injuries to him." Miguel would later hire Joe Santiago as the new trainer.
Evangelista claims that Miguel owes him money since April 11, 2004. They had a percentage agreement in place by way of contract. Evangelista would receive 10% of Miguel's purse and another 10% that had to do with Miguel's promotional company and other items. When Miguel became champion, Evangelista claims that his percentage was going to rise to 33%. He says Miguel continued to only pay him 10% and never increased his take. He wants the remaining 23% since April 2004.
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