Roach Has No Doubt Cotto Can Push Martinez Around

By Mike Coppinger

Miguel Cotto (38-4, 31KOs) started his professional career at 140 pounds, but will be gunning for a world title 20 pounds north when he faces Sergio Martinez (51-2-2, 28KOs) on June 7 at MSG.

Cotto fought six fights at 154, going 4-2, his most recent outing a a win over the pedestrian Delvin Rodriguez, and losses to Floyd Mayweather and Austin Trout. The fight with Martinez is for the lineal middleweight title, but will be contested at a catchweight of 159.

Is Cotto biting off more than he can chew by packing on even more pounds to his 5-foot-7 frame? His trainer Freddie Roach doesn't think so.

"Well, we moved up the weight a little bit and put on more muscle," Roach said on a media conference call Thursday.

"I think he may actually be taller and he will be stronger on the inside and much more physical on the inside than Martínez is, and we are going to push him around with no problem," Roach added. " I think on the inside we are the bigger, stronger fighter."

Martinez is indeed a natural junior middleweight, but it's hard to believe Cotto will be the bigger man come fight night. "Maravilla" has three inches in height on Cotto, and always is muscular all over, while Cotto's chest wasn't even built out at '47.

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