Team Canelo Paying No Attention To Miguel Cotto's Ultimatum

By Miguel Rivera

Eddie Reynoso, trainer and manager for WBO junior middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (48-1-1, 34KOs), says his team is not paying any attention to the ultimatum that was recently stated by Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33KOs).

The former four division world champion is planning to retire from the sport on December 31, 2017. Cotto has been out of the ring since losing a twelve round unanimous decision to Canelo last November at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Their fight generated 900,000 purchases on pay-per-view - which is the closest any boxing event has come to reaching a million PPV buys since last May's mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz, a few weeks ago, said his company was very interested in making a rematch between Canelo and Cotto (40-5, 33KOs).

According the Puerto Rican superstar, there has been no communication from Golden Boy regarding a rematch with Canelo, but there have been some preliminary talks between Top Rank and Roc Nation Sports for a fight between Cotto and Timothy Bradley. Top Rank, who have Bradley, are interested in doing that fight.

"I'm under a fight contract with the people of Roc Nation and 2017 is the final year for Miguel Cotto in boxing. The days are numbered for Miguel Cotto," said Cotto to El Vocero. "We will continue to work with the same intensity. The fight [with Canelo] has not been provided because they did not want to do it. They've looked at other places and if they want a fight to materializes - then they have until December, 31 2017 to do so."

"We have worked together many people in boxing. Nobody has anything bad to say about the group of Miguel Cotto. But the ball is in the court of Golden Boy Promotions. They have to consider the deadline is the 31st of December. The weight are issues that can be handled, 154 or 155 pounds, are things that you can always talk bout in the midst of negotiations."

Reynoso has no issue with his comments, and he doesn't rule out the possibility of that fight, but points out that Canelo will not be influenced to make a move based on statements from a potential opponent.

"The truth is that's it not an ultimatum to us. He has not fought for a year and Canelo is still active. We have our plans, but hey, we respect their way of expressing themselves. We are not uncomfortable [by his words], he can say whatever. We have a meeting in a few days to outline the future," Reynoso to ESPN Deportes.

"Cotto is still a good choice for any fighter. He is one of the greatest fighters that has entered this sport. He would be a good name for anyone, and we do not him rule out."

Canelo will return to the ring in early 2017 or in May, as part of Cinco De Mayo weekend.