 Miguel Cotto: Top Rank's
New Golden Boy
by Sugar Lee Santiago (June 25, 2003)
Photo © Chris Farina Top Rank
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"Let me introduce to you our new superstar," began Bob Arum as he launched into yesterday's media teleconference with junior welterweight prospect Miguel Cotto, who is headlining this Saturday's "Latin Fury" card, which will take place at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Cotto will face a tough challenge in former WBO lightweight champ Rocky Martinez from Mexico. And even though Cotto does not hold a world title yet, he was chosen by Top Rank to close the show in Bayamon over world champions Eric Morel and Daniel Santos, both of whom are fighting in the co-features of the Latin Fury card.
"I don't mean any disrespect to either of the champions (Morel and Santos); they are both terrific fighters, but you have to understand that Miguel Cotto has been featured now in a number of pay per view cards and from studying the results of those cards we've seen what a big draw or relatively big draw he is on pay per view television," said Arum.
Cotto, 15-0 with 12 KOs, was not expecting to be the headliner so early in his boxing career but thinks he is ready for that prime time spot.
"It was a surprise at first," said Cotto. "I didn't expect it but I'm very
happy with the decision. The fruits of my labors are beginning to show after all these years and the time for Miguel Cotto to shine are near."
Earlier this week MaxBoxing.com reported that Cotto will not continue to pursue fights in the 135-pound division and has decided to stay with the junior welterweights for the time being. Cotto told MaxBoxing why he decided to stay at 140 and was asked if he will continue to pursue a crown in the lightweight division.
"135 pounds?" asked Cotto. "It doesn't look too good right now; it's very difficult to make and I don't see it happening. I got stuck when I reached 141 pounds and anything I did would not lower my weight. I also started to feel weak, so my team and I decided to abandon the thought of making the 135-pound division."
Assuming Cotto is successful on Saturday night, his fight schedule will continue to be busy. According to Top Rank, Cotto will be the co-featured bout on the De La Hoya-Mosley card on September 13th, and on a November card starring Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"One of the opponents pre-approved for November will be the guy Mayweather just fought (Victoriano Sosa) and his opponent on September 13th will be a blockbuster opponent, a former world champion, and I don't want to give his name yet but it is also another big name" concluded Arum, who has made no bones about his ambitions to promote Cotto as Top Rank's next Golden Boy.
E-mail - Sugar Lee Santiago Sugarleesantiago@aol.com
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