By Mark Vester
Miguel Cotto is training hard in the hot lights of his camp in Puerto Rico, preparing for his February 21 ring return against Michael Jennings. The fight will top a card at New York's Madison Square Garden, and Top Rank pay-per-view will televise the split-feed event that has Kelly Pavlik defending his middleweight titles against Marco Antonio Rubio in Ohio. Cotto-Jennings will have the vacant WBO welterweight title on the line.
Cotto has been away from the ring since a July 07 knockout loss to Antonio Margarito. The first loss of Cotto's career was tough and he took a lot of time off to allow his mind and body to recover.
Reports from Cotto's camp indicate that he showed up, at the start of camp, heavier than usual, and he is currently heavier than usual at this point of the training process. Phil Landman, a fitness expert from Los Angeles, has been a key member of Team Cotto and says the weight is taking a little longer to come off this time around but he doesn't see any issues with making the weight limit of 147-pounds.
Landman says that Cotto's right shoulder, which was badly damaged in a 2001 car accident, has bothered him a bit and caused causes pain in the lower part of the fighter's bicep. The discomfort has been brought under control with physical therapy.
We had to make some changes due to the minor injuries that Miguel has suffered. We made the necessary adjustments, especially in his physical program. These are things the occur normally for any athlete, but yes it has been a challenge and Miguel will be well prepared," Landman told Primera Hora .
"In the past, Miguel has a little bit of rest between fights and when he came back to the gym, there was a already a good base to begin our work. This time it was different because he came from five or six months of pure rest. Miguel came to camp a little heavier than normal and the injuries made us avoid doing certain things, but we are where we want to be. Right now Miguel should be at 156 pounds. I have seen a change in Miguel. He is more focused and determined. We will have to wait and see how he reacts in the fight, but it has been an excellent camp."
Team Cotto would not reveal the exact weight of Miguel, but he was said to be 161-pounds two weeks ago. Cotto admits to the paper that his body took a beating when he first returned to the gym after such a long layoff.
"My body felt a little exhausted in beginning of the camp due to the long break, but little by little we are falling in line," Cotto said. "I am going to work at a tireless pace to return and win the title because I want to be a champion again. I am very anxious and for the fight to get here, but most of all, I'm in good spirits and I'm very positive."
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