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To start off, I was not in favor of this fight, so I am happy its not happening. Cotto is a small Jr MW and would look like a hobbit at MW. Cotto on his worst day will always be better than JCC Jr., however the weight and size disparity as well as the strength would favor JCC Jr. Plus he has youth on his side.
We all know that Bob was pushing this fight against nobody's wishes, but abruptly puts an end to it. Who was pulling the strings that seen this fight crumble almost as fast as it was being seemingly finalized?
The Usual Suspects:
Freddy Roach--Freddy Roach has already seen one of his pupils pummel Miguel Cotto and he knows that he's shop worn, so it seems like the perfect time to catapult his young charge to the limelight...right? Did Chavez's seemingly inept movement and defense force Roach to believe that Cotto still has enough in the tank to out work and out point Jr., thus killing the buzz.
JCC Sr.--Jr is no Sr, I think we all get that, and perhaps even Sr thinks that. Even with all his physical advantages, does Sr believe that Cotto's skill is too much for him, that Cotto is still close to his peak that he can take whatever Jr is dishing? Was a father's concern for a son the reason that he persuaded his son to continue to fight opponents at a lesser class to gain more experience, while the inevitable war between Margarito and Cotto promises to push both those guys who have one foot out the door, go fully?
Bob Arum--Bob, the famous promoter who was lying how good Jr was yesterday, is telling the truth today. Jr. just isn't ready to remove Cotto from Arum's second in numbers position. If Arum can emerge a new star at the expense of a faded star, I have no reason to believe he wouldn't. I'm sure he likes Cotto, but you don't survive in this game by living with blind loyalty. If he feels Cotto has completely reached his expiration date, he'd feed him up for the kids with the upside. Lets not forget the promotional effort he gave to Foreman. He had Foreman on TV and all over the press, while Cotto barely registered a blip. The media wrote Cotto off and Arum seemingly did. The smug look he gave Cotto when Cotto beat Foreman was evidence enough.
The WBC--These boys are crooks, and when they've hit a gold mine, better believe they'll cash out. Jr just won a strap that Arum and the WBC carefully planned to get in his hands. Did the WBC play some underhanded tricks to ensure that its green relic would remain in Jr's hands while he can get maximum exposure which would maximize the sanctioning fees? Sure they'll get a max payout in the fight against Cotto, but why risk a crapload of future max payouts via a young champ with upside instead of Cotto, who'll get max payouts in less than a handful of fights he has left and then retires? These guys are like oil investors bying a future.
HBO/Showtime--Like the WBC, these guys are attempting to look at the big picture. Cotto has been in many memorable wars. Some he lost, most he won. Boxing is a sport with an eye to the future. Cotto still has maybe two big fights left to gain max ratings, then he'll bow out. His style does not lend itself well into the golden years ala Hopkins. Do you risk derailing a rising star against a fading star who still has the goods to beat most fighters? Its a gamble that perhaps they aren't willing to take.
Miguel Cotto--He's in the twilight and is now perhaps attempting to cap off his career with another signature win or two and go to the HoF in peace. The Jr. fight could be a signature win. He's moving up, fighting a young and undefeated champ with all the advantages. Jr. even after losing can go on to great things, making the win look so much better on the ledger, so why balk? Bob Arum. Does Arum, when presenting the offers add stipulations on extending his contract which I believe is due to run out this year if I'm not mistaken? Does Cotto, who has had private meetings with Floyd see something in his future that wants him to be self promoted? Does Cotto not like the way that Margarito issue has been handled only agrees to one more fight before he bolts, and rather settle that with Tony?
Arum seemed pretty sure that October was the big date. Its free and isn't competing with anyone else of note. Methinks that Cotto didn't like the extensions perhaps or any fight options that were on the table. I think its Cotto/Margarito II before Cotto rides solo or w/ GBP.
Discuss
We all know that Bob was pushing this fight against nobody's wishes, but abruptly puts an end to it. Who was pulling the strings that seen this fight crumble almost as fast as it was being seemingly finalized?
The Usual Suspects:
Freddy Roach--Freddy Roach has already seen one of his pupils pummel Miguel Cotto and he knows that he's shop worn, so it seems like the perfect time to catapult his young charge to the limelight...right? Did Chavez's seemingly inept movement and defense force Roach to believe that Cotto still has enough in the tank to out work and out point Jr., thus killing the buzz.
JCC Sr.--Jr is no Sr, I think we all get that, and perhaps even Sr thinks that. Even with all his physical advantages, does Sr believe that Cotto's skill is too much for him, that Cotto is still close to his peak that he can take whatever Jr is dishing? Was a father's concern for a son the reason that he persuaded his son to continue to fight opponents at a lesser class to gain more experience, while the inevitable war between Margarito and Cotto promises to push both those guys who have one foot out the door, go fully?
Bob Arum--Bob, the famous promoter who was lying how good Jr was yesterday, is telling the truth today. Jr. just isn't ready to remove Cotto from Arum's second in numbers position. If Arum can emerge a new star at the expense of a faded star, I have no reason to believe he wouldn't. I'm sure he likes Cotto, but you don't survive in this game by living with blind loyalty. If he feels Cotto has completely reached his expiration date, he'd feed him up for the kids with the upside. Lets not forget the promotional effort he gave to Foreman. He had Foreman on TV and all over the press, while Cotto barely registered a blip. The media wrote Cotto off and Arum seemingly did. The smug look he gave Cotto when Cotto beat Foreman was evidence enough.
The WBC--These boys are crooks, and when they've hit a gold mine, better believe they'll cash out. Jr just won a strap that Arum and the WBC carefully planned to get in his hands. Did the WBC play some underhanded tricks to ensure that its green relic would remain in Jr's hands while he can get maximum exposure which would maximize the sanctioning fees? Sure they'll get a max payout in the fight against Cotto, but why risk a crapload of future max payouts via a young champ with upside instead of Cotto, who'll get max payouts in less than a handful of fights he has left and then retires? These guys are like oil investors bying a future.
HBO/Showtime--Like the WBC, these guys are attempting to look at the big picture. Cotto has been in many memorable wars. Some he lost, most he won. Boxing is a sport with an eye to the future. Cotto still has maybe two big fights left to gain max ratings, then he'll bow out. His style does not lend itself well into the golden years ala Hopkins. Do you risk derailing a rising star against a fading star who still has the goods to beat most fighters? Its a gamble that perhaps they aren't willing to take.
Miguel Cotto--He's in the twilight and is now perhaps attempting to cap off his career with another signature win or two and go to the HoF in peace. The Jr. fight could be a signature win. He's moving up, fighting a young and undefeated champ with all the advantages. Jr. even after losing can go on to great things, making the win look so much better on the ledger, so why balk? Bob Arum. Does Arum, when presenting the offers add stipulations on extending his contract which I believe is due to run out this year if I'm not mistaken? Does Cotto, who has had private meetings with Floyd see something in his future that wants him to be self promoted? Does Cotto not like the way that Margarito issue has been handled only agrees to one more fight before he bolts, and rather settle that with Tony?
Arum seemed pretty sure that October was the big date. Its free and isn't competing with anyone else of note. Methinks that Cotto didn't like the extensions perhaps or any fight options that were on the table. I think its Cotto/Margarito II before Cotto rides solo or w/ GBP.
Discuss
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