Burden of proof resting on Cotto's shoulders

By Robert Morales Staff Writer
Updated: 11/12/2009 10:55:20 PM PST

Miguel Cotto is in a difficult position. He will be defending his welterweight world title against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas at an agreed-upon 145 pounds, two below the limit.

That's good for the smaller Pacquiao, not so good for Cotto because he hasn't weighed below 146 for 31/2 years.

Further burdening Cotto are the prophets of doom who wonder if he might not have recovered entirely from the beating he took from Tijuana's Antonio Margarito during an 11th-round technical knockout loss in July 2008.

Then there is Cotto's native Puerto Rico. Losing to Margarito could not have endeared Cotto to his fans there because of the boxing rivalry with Mexico. If Cotto loses to Pacquiao in yet another high-profile fight, his standing could further dwindle.

The cherry on top of this mess is, according to his promoter, Bob Arum, Cotto won't get applauded the way he should by experts should he emerge victorious.

"If Miguel beats Manny, which is a real possibility, then you'll have all the naysayers saying that he beat a much smaller man," said Arum, who also promotes Pacquiao. "Right now the bettors are looking at this fight with Cotto as a decided underdog. I would give him all the credit in the world if he beat Manny Pacquiao.

"But I know how the world is and they'll always attempt to take away his credit. They will. Why that is, I don't know. Funny enough, even though Manny is the big favorite, Manny will get much more credit for beating Cotto than Cotto would get for beating Manny."

Interestingly, Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) speaks in borderline indifferent tones about some of this, especially as it pertains to the overall perception of him in Puerto Rico.

"I never pay too much attention to the commentators in Puerto Rico," said Cotto, who has won world titles in two weight classes and is 14-1 in championship fights. "But I know some people are happy with my accomplishments in boxing.

"Some others do not believe in me, but I have to do my work whether the people believe in me or not. I am here for me, my family and the people that want to follow Miguel Cotto. For those who want to follow me, they are more than welcome."

Cotto didn't even flinch when asked how vital it is for him to get the kudos he deserves for his achievements.

"If I am happy with my work and my family is proud of me, they are the real people that stay beside me," he said. "The people will disband when things go bad. The real people that are taking care of me, I am here listening to what they say about me."

Regarding the weight issue, Cotto's strength and conditioning coach, Phil Landman, said having Cotto come in at 145 is no big deal.

"One forty-seven is Miguel's natural weight so Miguel has no trouble getting to that weight," Landman said. "I was never with him at 140, but the stories I have heard I think it will just take a little more training for him to get to the weight. He has come in twice at 146, so we have no concern with that."

Cotto has twice fought at 146 since moving up to the 147-pound welterweight limit in 2006. But he moved from 140 to 147 because he was having difficulty making 140. He might be able to make 145, but that one extra pound can mean a world of difference to a fighter's energy level once the fight begins.

As for his loss to Margarito, Cotto is tired of hearing he isn't the same fighter he was prior to that brutal defeat. He points out he has gone 2-0 since then.

One victory was a fifth-round technical knockout of unheralded Michael Jennings. The other was a narrow split-decision over a much tougher Joshua Clottey, a fight in which Cotto fought with a severe cut from the third round on.

"That is the problem here in sports," said Cotto, 29. "Wherever you stand, there are 10 or 20 people that know about boxing. I am not going to go to a doctor and tell him how to do his work. He knows how to do his work, and I know how to do my work.

"I am pretty recovered from the Margarito defeat. I showed the world with my last two victories and I don't have anything else to say about that."

Well, not too much, anyway.

"If you ever saw somebody who fought with a huge cut over his eye and had to deal with the cut and an opponent in front of him and win the fight - it is all the things I had to deal with," he said. "I had a huge cut over my eye, a strong opponent in front of me and I was the winner of the fight."

Fellow Puerto Rican and future Hall of Famer Felix Trinidad Jr. has Cotto's back.

"Manny is a big puncher and a good boxer, but he has never faced a natural welterweight like Miguel," Trinidad said. "Cotto is the most dangerous fight of Pacquiao's career. On the night of the fight, Pacquiao will still not be a full welterweight. And Cotto is very strong.

"As the fight plays out, around rounds 7, 8, 9, that's when Cotto starts taking over. I think Cotto will win by decision, but he might even get a knockout. With all of my heart, I think Miguel Cotto will win."

But will he get any credit?

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_13776909