Translation: Exclusive Puerto Rican Radio Interview of Miguel Cotto & Pedro Diaz
Translated by: Bogotazo
(For reference, "Radio Guy" is the guy in the chair, "Fat Radio Guy" is the bald man sitting beside Pedro Diaz, and "Radio Woman" is obviously the female.)
Enjoy.
----
(Cheers)
Radio Guy: For the first time! For the first time on Radio Puerto Rico; greetings, welcome, how are you?
Diaz: Thank you, thank you.
Radio Guy: Welcome to both of you. How are you?
Cotto: For the first time-I’m good thanks.
Radio Guy: (Laughs) It’s the first time, you’ve never done a program with us ever.
Cotto: I’m very happy to be here with you guys.
Radio Guy: Always welcome Miguel, this is your house. Eh, Don Pedro-
Side Radio Guy: What “Don Pedro?” Call him Pedro dude. He doesn’t like that!”
(Indiscernible jeers and jokes concerning Pedro’s “seniority”)
Radio Guy: That job, in order to make that change, what significant changes had to be made?
Diaz: No, in reality, like we’ve always seen, Miguel has been a great boxer since his start in boxing as an amateur. And the only thing that we applied to him was doing work as a team; a team specifically working for this fight. The work was done with unity, as a family, and it resulted well.
Radio Guy: Many people aren’t familiar with your trajectory, the series of studies you’ve had, the great career you’ve had within your country, which have given incredible results, as well as in Amateur boxing. Talk to us a bit about that.
Diaz: Well, it was normal. I was part of the Cuban team, and the Cuban team went on to succeed with great results, and as part of that collective I got some credit as well.
Radio Woman: How humble you are!
Radio Guy: Oh but we’ve seen your resume!
(Jokes and jeers about how esteemed he is.)
Radio Woman: Is there a real difference between the training of someone on the Olympic level and someone professional, as is the case with someone like Miguel? Is there really a difference like people say?
Fat Radio Guy: An Olympic fight is 3 rounds right?
Diaz: Undeniably, the technology and the process is different…
Cotto: I believe it went from 3 to 5, right Pedro?
Boxing Woman: In terms of the level of the athlete; the technique is different, everything is different…?
Diaz: Yes, it’s handled in completely different ways, and we can’t apply the preparation for a professional that fights 12 rounds to an amateur that fights 3 rounds. It’s totally different.
Fat Radio Guy: And the character of Miguel…lots of people talk about Miguel’s character; that he’s spoiled, that he’s undisciplined, that he’s a piece of pork meat (Any Boricuas care to explain that one?); how do you deal with that? You also have the face of a tough guy.
Diaz: There’s something important in this; of men, I speak well of, or I don’t speak. But I’ve known Miguel for many years, and he’s always been the same Miguel. The people think that, for you to be good, you have to always have a smile on your face. It’s not necessary. You can be a good person, understand? The person’s thoughts, feelings, their way of expressing themselves, their ethical condition for life and for himself…
Boxing Woman: Above all, that.
Diaz: It’s fundamental.
Fat Radio Guy: But does he follow your instructions, or does he do whatever he wants?
Diaz: Well, out of the ring, or out of the gym, we’re friends. Within the gym, it’s something different, and I think that in the corner as well.
Fat Radio Guy: Things change…
Diaz: Yes, because outside, in social life, it’s a shared friendship; a shared family. Inside of the ring and the corner, it’s a business, and you have to respect business, because…
Radio Woman: There’s a discipline…
Diaz: Yes, there’s a discipline. He’s conscious of what he wants, and so am I. And be sure that we’re always going for the victory.
Fat Radio Guy: The perception is that Miguel-and Miguel is a great guy-everyone says “Miguel doesn’t laugh”- look he’s laughing right now, he’s a nice guy! But don’t be bothering him and trying to get things out of him that the dude doesn’t like.
Cotto: What happens is that I was taught that I laugh when I want and wit who I want.
Fat Radio Guy: Laugh with me papi.
(Cotto then blows a kiss, laughter erupts.)
Radio Guy: There’s a saying that says “The fact that I laugh with you doesn’t mean I’m your friend.” The panther shows his teeth before attacking.
Fat Radio Guy: Miguel, the difference between the trainers that you’ve had and Pedro, what is it? What’s that touch that Pedro gives you?
Cotto: I’ve had several trainers, as all know, specifically in the last 2, 3 years. Some I got what I needed from, and others I threw in the trash; I don’t miss them. With Pedro, it’s different. Like he says: we have very good communication. Out of the gym, we’re very good friends. In the ring, I follow his instructions to obtain the victory, and I think that that chemistry of a friend…
Fat Radio Guy: That helps a lot.
Cotto: The chemistry of being a friend, of respect, of seriousness, is what’s helped us maintain this relationship.
Radio Guy: Floyd Mayweather! A very fast guy, one of the fastest we’ve seen in the ring; what do you expect? What are you doing differently in your training to confront this man? What are you applying in this training camp?
Cotto: The only difference in the preparation for this camp, from which we started this past Monday to prepare for this fight…things are more serious than usual. I’m following the advice from Pedro, which is very good. In the last fight…I’ve known him since 1996, and at a certain moment, everybody doubted the extent that Pedro could help advance my career, and I’ve always believed in him. That’s why he’s here, that’s why we had the results we had in the last fight, and we’re going to have the same result in this fight; always believing in Pedro, always listening to his advice, and working towards the victory.
Radio Woman: Miguel, what do you do to relax yourself from personal relationships, boxing, business, which is a ton; what do you do to let loose, to relax, what do you do, that the people don’t know of?
(Jokes and laughter implying secrecy of Cotto’s relaxing habits)
Cotto: I’ve always had enough ability to put my personal life, my private life, at the door when I enter the gym, leaving my personal life outside, and when I’m home, leaving my professional life out of the house.
Radio Woman: What relaxes you, tattoos? I saw a real pretty one.
Radio Guy: He’s got a new tattoo!
(Jokes and laughs about his new reptile tattoo)
Radio Woman: But it’s a very pretty tattoo, there’s one that still has to be finished.
Fat Radio Guy: How much is the purse for this fight, the fight with Mayweather?
Cotto: Some two or three pesos.
Fat Radio Guy: Don’t tell me two or three pesos; tell me how much. How much?
Cotto: Brian is the one that has all that…
Brian: There are a couple of 0’s in there…
Fat Radio Guy: But how many before the zeros? 3, 5, 20, 15? It’s got to be a good one..
Brian: It’s a great fight, without a doubt, and it’s a great amount for him (Cotto)…
Fat Radio Guy: More than 10,000,000 dollars?
Brian: Somewhere around there, somewhere around there…
Fat Radio Guy: But that’s nothing! With the pay-per-views…
Radio Woman: Miguel, I’m a good babysitter, so maybe by chance I can help!
(Jokes about Miguel’s money.)
Radio Guy: Miguel, how do you plan to beat this man, this Mayweather?
Cotto: Pedro; Pedro brought a very good strategy, and that’s the one we’re going to use.
Radio Guy: What are we going to apply here different from previous fights, with Mayweather?
Radio Woman: What can be revealed?
Radio Guy: What can be said?
Diaz: Everything. Everything necessary to win.
Radio Guy: Something specific…work speed, work waist movement, work the legs..?
Diaz: All of the above; displacement, blows, and defense. And you’re going to see it all on the 5th.
Radio Guy: Very well.
(Jokes about Pedro feeding him delicious Cuban dishes)
Fat Radio Guy: I heard Emmanuel Steward made ribs.
Radio Woman: Could you train 4 months as a vegertarian? Would you dare?
Cotto: No.
Radio Guy: It can’t be done, it can’t be done, at that level…vegetables…it’s so difficult.
Radio Woman: There are vegetarian boxers!
Cotto: I don’t know what to tell you: we need meat.
Radio Guy: You’d miss it.
Cotto: Yes, yes.
(Jokes about everyone’s love of eating meat.)
Fat Radio Guy: Pedro, what’s Mayweather’s biggest weakness, the worst thing that indicates something to you?
Radio Guy: The Pay! (laughter erupts)
Diaz: I’ve studied various videos of Mayweather.
Fat Radio Guy: And how do you see it?
Diaz: A normal boxer.
Fat Radio Guy: Normal?
Diaz: Here, everyone’s human; nobody’s invincible. We all have our weaknesses, and with that, we’re going to do our work.
Cotto: And everyone’s going to realize it the 5th of May.
Fat Radio Guy: Yea?
Cotto: Yes.
Fat Radio Guy: You’ve got something…
Radio Guy: You guys are looking pretty hushed up.
Diaz: The fact we’re silent doesn’t mean we’re overconfident.
Cotto: The secret is well guarded…(makes unfamiliar reference)
Fat Radio Guy: Now we’ve got a Boricua in the recipe!
(More jokes and laughter)
Radio Guy: To take away my ground here….is it (the show) going to the fight?
Brian: (laughs) I hope so.
Radio Guy: Well hoping…I can hope to live 100 years; dying before then is another matter.
Radio Woman: Does your girl like boxing?
Brian: She does.
Cotto: We’re committing to you guys and doing everything we can so that you can go to the fight.
Radio Guy: (smacks table) **** yea we’re going!
(Celebrations erupt, and the broadcast ends.)
Was thinking this exact same thing.
People might not want to believe it, but Mayweather is better at walking people down than Cotto is at fighting while going backwards.
It's a good thing they're going to focus on Cotto's footwork. It does sound like they're planning on making Floyd be the aggressor in that fight.
Mann..and I always said its the way to beat Floyd...Ortiz and Mosley tried to bully him and when they found out they couldnt, they ran and didnt know how to fight going backwards....Cotto is going to run, WHILE Jabbing and putting together his combinations...allowing, and RESPECTING Floyd as the bigger guy...should be interesting
LMAO at that one caller telling Cotto to retire cuz his done and might get hurt! hahahah
And lol at the one guy tellling Cotto that even if he loses, to kick the living shiit out of Mayweather! hahahaha
It's a good thing they're going focus on Cotto's footwork. It does sound like they're planning on making Floyd be the aggressor in that fight.
u think floyd is going to be the agressor may 5th?
It's a good thing they're going focus on Cotto's footwork. It does sound like they're planning on making Floyd be the aggressor in that fight.
"Desplazamiento, golpe y defensa" Movement, punch and defense...I think they will try to come in land shots and move out.
How I interpreted it:
The DJs made fun of Stewards stinky feet. Cotto didn't say anything.
Cotto vouches for his new trainers ability and is confident in his ability to make a winning gameplan.
He says the only thing different this new camp is that there's a more serious attitude.
Cotto says about Maywheather:
"We all have our moments, we haven't been perfect, in our professional life and our personal life, but his credentials speak for themselves. In the professional aspect, they speak very well about him."
The coach about training after being pushed by the DJS:
"We're going to train everything. Everything that's needed to win. Everything a boxer needs to work, movement, punch and defense. And you're going to see it on the 5th."
Diaz says he's studied the Maywheather tapes and he dismisses talking about it by saying he's just a normal human boxer, like every human he has his weaknesses and with that in mind they'll be working.
Diaz asked about Mays weakness...Stated May is a Boxer "normal" and that he has been studying his fights they will have a plan for the fight. The first caller was funny as ****. One caller asked about May's tactics when it comes to the trash talk and stated his tough physically and mentally it will not bother him....On a side note last caller stated his barber is a FLOMO but would not put 2500 on the fight(I wish I knew the caller) Cotto said Bob won't be there but is more than welcome to come.
In the beginning, they ask Diaz about Cotto's character, and how both of them seem to have "hard faces" or stern personalities. Diaz says that he only speaks about someone if he has something positive to say, and that he's learned that external emotions can be falsified. Just because someone laughs doesn't make them a good person. Cotto may not smile/laugh a lot, but Diaz has known him long enough (they've known each other for about 16 years) to know that he's a good person. Diaz talks about how he and Miguel have formed a solid relationship outside of the ring, he considers Cotto a good friend. But when they get into the ring and into the gym, it's all business. They are both on the same page, they want victory. When asked about Floyd, Cotto states that he's taking this training camp more serious than he usually does. He says that he doesn't fault Floyd for his imperfections because all humans have their moments where they lose it, but his resume speaks for itself. Diaz says they are going to focus on Cotto's footwork and defense for his upcoming fight. Diaz considers Floyd to be a normal boxer, and that he isn't invincible.
There's other stuff, but that's the most important.
Typing as I listen to it...So far they were asking Diaz about Cotto's work ethic and his reputation of being a carne de puerco lol ...Diaz said Cotto is a great guy outside the gym and is all about business inside. He stated people assume you need a big smile at all times but is not nec.
In the last seconds one of the broadcasters mistakenly asks if Arum will be @ the press conference in Puerto Rico and they started joking about how old Arum is. Cotto explained to the guy GBP was the one promoting the fight but that Bob was invited if he wanted to come.