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According to Franklin "Jeng" Gacal, Manny Pacquiao's lawyer, the pound for pound recognized best fighter in the world is now considering getting it on with Sugar Shane Mosley instead of Miguel Cotto. This news comes as a major shock to the boxing world given the relative ease putting the fight together was anticipated to be. Both fighters are promoted by Top Rank. Both fighters want to face each other. Easy right?
Not so fast.
Pacquiao wanted multiple concessions made by any future opponent and Cotto, and the world, knew this going into negotiations. Back in June Arum felt the contract was all but signed with only a few loose ends needing to be tied up. That is definitely not the case today..
What's the problem?
Reportedly Pacquiao wants the fight at 143 pounds. Cotto is only willing to go down as far as 145. A separation of two pounds. Not a lot but two pounds may prove to be a world apart for these two superstar fighters and effectively end negotiations. Thus a Pacquiao Cotto matchup is indefinitely on hold while Top Rank's head honcho, Bob Arum, vacations in Europe.
According to Philstar.com, "We will not agree to 145 pounds. And if Cotto insists, we’ll go for Mosley," said Gacal from Davao City. Cotto's camp isn't talking about the bout with Pacquiao any longer and Pacquiao's camp is now talking about Mosley. Strange events indeed. All of this comes on the heels of Mosley definitively accepting that he was not going to secure his coveted mega-fight with Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Junior and had turned his attention to other foe namely WBC champ Andre Berto. Also being considered is Kermit Cintron.
Arum, who admitted in January that he un-pocketed some of his personal cash to Pacquiao to secure a bout with Hatton, may again have to dig deep into his wallet. This time though it might be Cotto who is on the receiving end. Stay tuned.
Not so fast.
Pacquiao wanted multiple concessions made by any future opponent and Cotto, and the world, knew this going into negotiations. Back in June Arum felt the contract was all but signed with only a few loose ends needing to be tied up. That is definitely not the case today..
What's the problem?
Reportedly Pacquiao wants the fight at 143 pounds. Cotto is only willing to go down as far as 145. A separation of two pounds. Not a lot but two pounds may prove to be a world apart for these two superstar fighters and effectively end negotiations. Thus a Pacquiao Cotto matchup is indefinitely on hold while Top Rank's head honcho, Bob Arum, vacations in Europe.
According to Philstar.com, "We will not agree to 145 pounds. And if Cotto insists, we’ll go for Mosley," said Gacal from Davao City. Cotto's camp isn't talking about the bout with Pacquiao any longer and Pacquiao's camp is now talking about Mosley. Strange events indeed. All of this comes on the heels of Mosley definitively accepting that he was not going to secure his coveted mega-fight with Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Junior and had turned his attention to other foe namely WBC champ Andre Berto. Also being considered is Kermit Cintron.
Arum, who admitted in January that he un-pocketed some of his personal cash to Pacquiao to secure a bout with Hatton, may again have to dig deep into his wallet. This time though it might be Cotto who is on the receiving end. Stay tuned.
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