Cotto vs Abdulaev Signed!

Fightnews.com Cotto vs Abdullaev signed! Kid Diamond vs Joel Casamayor in co-feature WBO jr lightweight champion Miguel Cotto will go into his biggest world title fight, taking on the last fighter who defeated him - Olympic gold medalist Muhammad Abdullaev - on a Top Rank blockbuster card which will also feature undefeated lightweight sensation Kid Diamond vs. former world champion Joel Casamayor at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, June 11. Bob Arum of Top Rank made the announcement today. He said a press conference will be scheduled next week in New York City. The Top Rank championship card will be held on the eve of National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. HBO will televise Cotto vs. Abdullaev and Diamond vs. Casamayor, Arum said. This will be a super-heated world title defense for Cotto, 23-0 with 19 KOs, of Caguas, Puerto Rico. Cotto took on Abdullaev in a first-round bout at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Abdullaev won, 17-7. "I've been thinking about what happened that night," said Cotto. "Let's see what happens on June 11." Abdullaev is 15-1 with 12 knockouts. After defeating Cotto at the Olympics, he stopped Kelson Pinto of Brazil; won a 9-6 decision over Sergei Bykovski of Bulgaria; stopped Mohammed Allalou of Algeria and then decisioned Ricardo Williams of the USA, 27-20, for the 2000 Olympic gold medal at 139 pounds.Kid Diamond, 20-0 with 12 KOs, has been on a spectacular, hot run which included a stunning stoppage of previously undefeated lightweight Koba Gogoladze on March 4 in Choctaw, Miss. Diamond attacks early and is an extremely hard puncher. He knocked out LaMar Murphy, who had never been stopped, on Nov. 27 in Las Vegas. Diamond, whose real name is Almazbek Raiymkulov, will take on Casamayor, 31-3 with 19 knockouts, in a world lightweight eliminator. Casamayor, born in Cuba, has been in 12 world title fights including recent world title wars with Jose Luis Castillo, Diego 'Chico' Corrales and Acelino Freitas.

Comments (20)

Lateral step nothing, this is a step up from Corley. Abdullaev beat Cotto already. And he's got a big chance here. Cotto's power is the only real difference. Abdullaev would beat Corley. And you didn't see the fight if you actually think Abdullaev's loss was legit. That's just laughable. Anybody actually see the fight? I know most here didn't since they didn't even know Clottey's name. I saw the fight, I think I still have it on CD somewhere. It may appear to have been a bad stoppage on the surface of things, but Abdulaev's stock as a prospect plummeted after that fight. Even if he'd have weathered Clottey's last ditch barrage and won, he would have done so by sheer luck because his ass got rocked ... badly. It wasn't as though he was off balance or caught off guard, he got nailed. Abdulaev is a tough cookie, great to watch. his pressure may play a factor in taking Cotto out of his game and possibly extending the fight, alternatively it may just quicken the inevitable, Cotto's too much for him as a pro.

21y ago

PRboxingfan

Abdullaev's loss was not a B.S. loss. He got caught by a good punch in a fight he was clearly winning. It happens. Look at Courtney Burton when he got KO'd in the 10th by Ebo Elder. Anywho, MA will be a good fight for Cotto but it is a lateral step from Corley, at best. I would've rather seen him fight Harris or Witter. That being said, Witter already has a fight signed so he was out of the question. Kendall Holt is too young but he is around MA's experience level so it would've been more of the same. Harris is where it is at, but I guess Bob Arum doesn't want to do that quite yet. I see where they are going with Cotto and I think it's time to put him in with someone a bit better. As for Gatti, he is a B fighter and can only beat B fighters. He's going to lose to Mayweather by TKO, mark my words. Buddy McGirt will have to run in and beg the ref to stop the fight. Casa is in for a fight, too. I've seen Kid Dynamite a few times on Sho and, while he is not a world-class fighter, he is good enough to give Casa a run for his money. I don't think he'll do much damage as Castillo coulnd't KD him, but he will put up a good fight. Casa by UD, tho.

21y ago

tracylee

Abdulaev's last loss was a robbery. Saying this I still think that Coto is a topdog in this fight. Abdulaev got skills(olympic medalist) and some power so he might be a very good test for Cotto. As for Almazbek Raimkulov, this kid got balls, he only fought 20 times and he is already taking on a very good fighter in Casa. Kid Diamond got power and some skills and his style reminds you of Tszyu. Legit loss or not, I do wonder if it will affect his mental game any?? :confused:

21y ago

abdiel2k3

Abdulaev could be quite a test. If you notice his record, he fought mostly at 145 or so, and since he lost, has disciplined himself to make ~~140. He can punch a bit, would no doubt be training hard for this fight and who knows how Cotto will react when he is fighting a guy who holds a win over him. He would also end up around the 150 mark at least by fight time, so will be a bit stronger than Cotto's previous opponents. Put it this way - a fit & sharp Abdulaev is a better fighter than Lovemore Ndou. I am looking forward to this fight. did ya miss the Kelson Pinto fight? he showed hes a completely different fighter from then but i do like Abdulaevs chances im favoring Cotto in this one but def think Abdulaev will put up a hell of a fight

21y ago

NAB

21y ago

oldgringo

Hey gringo who has Cotto beat?? Come on you cant call out Gatti and then pull a 180 and say Cotto is the best. N'Dou is the toughest, thats it. Well yeah he has barely beaten any live guys...N'Dou and Corley...but then again I've already vented my frustrations about that. All I'm saying is that Cotto's future is still TBA but Gatti has very little time left to beat any top caliber guys. If he beats Floyd I'll give him all of the respect he deserves, but he's done nothing but fail when it comes to breaking into that upper echelon and beating a world class guy.

21y ago

ThunderGatti

Cotto's better than anyone you just named TG. Seriously, DON'T try to convince everyone that Leonard Dorin and Terron Millet were world beaters and Gatti smoked them cuz it ain't workin. I like Gatti as much as the next guy but until he beats a B+ or higher level guy then I don't buy it. Hey gringo who has Cotto beat?? Come on you cant call out Gatti and then pull a 180 and say Cotto is the best. N'Dou is the toughest, thats it.

21y ago

oldgringo

21y ago

SacTown1

they are B class fighters. If Gatti beats Mayweather, people would consider him great and not just an exciting fighter. I say this because this would probably be the first time Gatti has won a fight where he is expected to lose. This is one of many reasons that makes a fighter great. Excellent points, to BE great you have to DEFEAT great fighters....Gatti looks awesome vs. average competition, but so did Hector Camacho, would we consider him a "great" fighter?....beating PBF (although impossible) would put Gatti in the category of "greatness" but until then he's only an HBO poster-boy with a left hook and a smile

21y ago

ThunderGatti

they are B class fighters. If Gatti beats Mayweather, people would consider him great and not just an exciting fighter. I say this because this would probably be the first time Gatti has won a fight where he is expected to lose. This is one of many reasons that makes a fighter great. I agree with you to an extent, but you said he hasnt beat anybody good, to me those guys were very good. Other than that De la Hoya was the only one to beat him, maybe Manfreddy. And hell De la Hoya is arguably the best boxer in the last 10 or so odds years.

21y ago

DJ_OxXx

If you dont think these fighters I listed arent good than there is something wrong w/ you. There not IBHOF materal but they are definetly at the least "good" I believe all of them were former champs.they are B class fighters. If Gatti beats Mayweather, people would consider him great and not just an exciting fighter. I say this because this would probably be the first time Gatti has won a fight where he is expected to lose. This is one of many reasons that makes a fighter great.

21y ago

ThunderGatti

thanks for proving my point. Gatti makes a living by beating lesser opponents. I will admit he is an exciting fighter, just not a great one. If you dont think these fighters I listed arent good than there is something wrong w/ you. There not IBHOF materal but they are definetly at the least "good" I believe all of them were former champs.

21y ago

DJ_OxXx

Yea he lost to Gabe Ruelas, Tracy Patterson twice, Lenord Dorin, and Terron Millet right???thanks for proving my point. Gatti makes a living by beating lesser opponents. I will admit he is an exciting fighter, just not a great one.

21y ago

ThunderGatti

How come every good fighter Gatti has fought, he lost to? Yea he lost to Gabe Ruelas, Tracy Patterson twice, Lenord Dorin, and Terron Millet right???

21y ago

LuKahnLi

Cotto definitely has the momentum, but Abdullaev is real tough. The guy can really bang too. Cotto will not be able to push him around like he did Corley.

21y ago

DJ_OxXx

Is that the pipe talkin?? No way Cotto comes close to Gatti. I think Cotto is the weakest big name player in junior welter why do think his people are protecting him?? If Corely can hurt him Gatti would have KO'd him # 1, # 2 Cotto would have to bring his punk ass to the AC, so no favorable Puerto Rican refs in Cotto's cornor. Why doesnt Cotto fight Witter?? Witter would beat his ass too! Gatti has bigger fish to fry than friggin Miguel Cotto. As for Malignaggi, I like him, a very good boxer with speed but not a lot of punching power, I would like to see Paulie fight those 2 guys in the undercard, and perhaps Mike Artnautalis and then Cotto if he is victorious is those previous fights I mentioned.How come every good fighter Gatti has fought, he lost to?

21y ago

ThunderGatti

Don't be stupid, just cuz he got rocked by a good punch now he is no good? He kills Gatti easily... Is that the pipe talkin?? No way Cotto comes close to Gatti. I think Cotto is the weakest big name player in junior welter why do think his people are protecting him?? If Corely can hurt him Gatti would have KO'd him # 1, # 2 Cotto would have to bring his punk ass to the AC, so no favorable Puerto Rican refs in Cotto's cornor. Why doesnt Cotto fight Witter?? Witter would beat his ass too! Gatti has bigger fish to fry than friggin Miguel Cotto. As for Malignaggi, I like him, a very good boxer with speed but not a lot of punching power, I would like to see Paulie fight those 2 guys in the undercard, and perhaps Mike Artnautalis and then Cotto if he is victorious is those previous fights I mentioned.

21y ago

Mr_Untouchable

Cotto vs Abdulaev Signed! B/c Cotto is no good. Got no chin. I wish Paul Malignaggi was in this undercard fightin either one of those opponets to set up a showdown w/ Cotto in the beginning of 2006. Cotto has more power but I think Malignaggi can box with him.Maliganaggi is a joke, Cotto would knock his punk ass out...

21y ago

Mr_Untouchable

Cotto vs Abdulaev Signed! WTF???? Why is Cotto avoiding Vivian Harris? His time is running out.Everyone is avoiding harris after they seen what hi did to hurtado...

21y ago

Mr_Untouchable

Cotto vs Abdulaev Signed! never seen cottos opponent but hope its a test for cottoAbdulaev used to fight on showtime a lot until he got knocked out by a no name. He is a good fighter, but cotto will have his way with him...

21y ago