Sulaiman Reacts To Cotto's Remarks on GGG Defense
Jun 5, 2015 • 9:46 AM ET
By Miguel Rivera
Earlier this week, WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto told reporters that he won't allow the World Boxing Council "to control the future" of his career.
Cotto's comments were in response to the constant questions regarding the WBC's recent directive which orders the Puerto Rican star, should he defeat Daniel Geale, to make a mandatory defense of his title against Gennady "GGG" Golovkin.
If the WBC presses the issue, Cotto appeared to threaten that he would vacate the world title that he captured last June with a knockout win over Sergio Martinez.
Cotto defends the title against Geale on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. In victory, more than like he will move forward to a fight with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in the fall.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman is not yet ready to trade words with Cotto over the issue. Sulaiman has remained calm throughout the situation.
"It's the week of the fight and the boxers have the pressure of making weight, the pressure of the press and I do not think Miguel had the intention of putting it in that way. The reality is that I prefer to continue the good relationship that has existed between Cotto with the World Boxing Council for many years," said Sulaiman.
"A lot of boxers will sometimes say things that they do not really mean, because of fatigue, pressure and physical and mental exhaustion. I prefer to continue my very good relationship with Miguel. His fight is Saturday and after that we'll see what happens."
"He always said that a fight with Canelo Alvarez was a possibility for May, but for various reasons those plans changed. I have been made to understand that both sides are talking regarding Cotto - if he comes out ahead in this fight - will face Canelo next. We will act in good faith and hope that things will work out where the public gets to see the best fights. We will wait for the facts. A lot can happen. Geale can win, Cotto can get cut, he can get injured. Let's wait for the fight to happen and then apply the various options according to regulation (WBC).
