By Mark Vester
If a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto were to take place, it's being said that a catch-weight between 140 and 147-pounds would have to be agreed upon. Bob Arum of Top Rank, who promotes both fighters, says the negotiations for the fight will not get serious until the weekend of June 13, when Cotto defends his WBO welterweight title against Joshua Clottey at New York's Madison Square Garden. Pacquiao will be sitting ringside for the fight.
"Manny is going to be in New York for Miguel's fight and we expect to be able to advance the conversations that weekend. I've already spoken with Manny about the possibility of a fight with Cotto and he told me that we'll sit down to talk in June when he travels to New York. If Cotto beats Clottey, that same weekend we will have some news," Arum told Primera Hora.
While many would like to see Pacquiao face Floyd Mayweather Jr [if he beats Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18], Arum says the Cotto fight is easier to make and the winner could fight Mayweather in 2010.
"We are not going to wait for Mayweather. It is more feasible for Cotto to face Pacquiao in November or December and the winner to fight Mayweather next year. At the present, Cotto is one of the most important boxers on the market and a fight with Pacquiao is very attractive," Arum said.
"The decision has be Cotto's. He has to let us to know if he is interested in the fight. I believe the fight is good for him. He would make very good money and from what I understand, a lot of fans in Philippines and Puerto Rico, they want to see them fight. But we have to sit down to negotiate and that we expect to do in June."
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