Roach: "WBO Will Sanction Pacquiao-Cotto Regardless"

**Gabilan** · 08-01-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by BIGPOPPAPUMP

BoxingScene.com spoke with trainer Freddie Roach about the controversy surrounding Miguel Cotto's willingness to defend the WBO welterweight title against Manny Pacquiao on November 14. Cotto has publicly refused to defend the title because the Pacquiao fight is being contested at a catch-weight of 145-pounds. If Pacquiao agrees to bump the weight by two-pounds [full welterweight limit of 147], Cotto will put the title on the line. [details]

Man. Roach needs to stop giving some many interviews. I like the guy but this will be resolved behind the scenes. We already know everybody's position on this.

**briggs33** · 08-01-2009, 06:51 PM

would be a bunch of crap if cotto got stripped and still doesnt get the belt after a win but who cares about the titles anyway...well i guess pac does :/

**oc9979** · 08-01-2009, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by briggs33

would be a bunch of crap if cotto got stripped and still doesnt get the belt after a win but who cares about the titles anyway...well i guess pac does :/

wbo will sanction the fight unless cotto vacates

**Spirit** · 08-01-2009, 06:56 PM

Can the WBO really make Pac #1 and make Cotto vacate his title if he's unwilling to pay the fees?

Pac really needs to find a better solution because I can see people downplaying a possible win like this over Cotto after Pac retires. I cant recall a similar situation in the past

**BIGPOPPAPUMP** · 08-01-2009, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by Spirit

Can the WBO really make Pac #1 and make Cotto vacate his title if he's unwilling to pay the fees?

Pac really needs to find a better solution because I can see people downplaying a possible win like this over Cotto after Pac retires. I cant recall a similar situation in the past

What about when Baldomir beat Judah and because Baldomir did not pay the IBF's sanctioning fee, the title was returned to Judah by the IBF.

**Gabilan** · 08-01-2009, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by oc9979

wbo will sanction the fight unless cotto vacates

No, see as Valcarcel stated yesteday (its on endi.com) the other option on the table is for Cotto to vacate the title and then for the vacated title to be put on the line for the fight but only if Pac wins. If Pac loses then the title remains vacated seeing as Cotto did not pay the sanctioning fees for the WBO. This way Cotto is not forced to budge from his stated stance while Pac is given the opportunity to win an historic seventh belt. This also helps Arum in his promotion of the fight. Its kind of a win-win-win compromise. And while it may seem weird that Cotto will not come away from the title should he win, I dont believe he cares either way: he comes away with a tremendous win and amazing leverage to fight Mosley, PBF, Berto, or whomever. And of course Cotto gets to keep that 3% that would otherwise go to the WBO.

**Dave Rado** · 08-01-2009, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by BIGPOPPAPUMP

What about when Baldomir beat Judah and because Baldomir did not pay the IBF's sanctioning fee, the title was returned to Judah by the IBF.

That wasn't a catchweight fight, though. It's unheard of for a fighter to be stripped for refusing to put his title on the line when it's a catchweight fight.

Plus it was Judah who was the defending champion, so Boldomir's situation is not analogous to Cotto's.

**Spirit** · 08-01-2009, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by BIGPOPPAPUMP

What about when Baldomir beat Judah and because Baldomir did not pay the IBF's sanctioning fee, the title was returned to Judah by the IBF.

Forgot about that one

Doesnt make the situation less weird though

**BIGPOPPAPUMP** · 08-01-2009, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by Dave Rado

That wasn't a catchweight fight, though. It's unheard of for a fighter to be stripped for refusing to put his title on the line when it's a catchweight fight.

He wouldnt be stripped. He said if the WBO forces him to defend, he will vacate

Roach: "WBO Will Sanction Pacquiao-Cotto Regardless"