The trash talk between Miguel Cotto and Sergio Martinez is ramping up in advance of their June 7 clash at Madison Square Garden, with Cotto's trainer Freddie Roach assuming the role of mouthpiece for his fighter.
Cotto places all his faith in Roach's game plan
Martinez made headlines early in the proceedings by claiming he'd stop the Puerto Rican by Round 9, but Roach has upped the ante and predicted a Cotto knockout far earlier. "They say the fight goes nine rounds," Roach said. "I think we win in four rounds."
The prediction is bold--even though Cotto won his last fight vs. Delvin Rodriguez via third round TKO, he's never fought at middleweight before, and he's taking on the champion of the class. Still, Roach is boasting that Cotto's going to control the fight and nullify Maravilla's speed advantage.
Sergio blasts Cotto as a "diva," Cotto calls Martinez "B-Side"
"Miguel's ring generalship alone will win this fight," said Roach. "We have two more days of sparring, then four rounds of work and that's it. We are ready to fight."
Cotto too has expressed a firm belief that Roach will guide him to victory in one of the most difficult fights of his career, and continued to do so in a more modest fashion. "I understand why Freddie is so confident and is saying the things he is saying today. He believes in me," Cotto said.
"We have worked hard in the gym. The work is almost done. Martinez is a world champion. I am prepared to fight, and I want promise to my fans I will do my best to win the world championship."
Despite questions about how long Cotto will remain an elite fighter due to the many wars he's been involved in through his career, he has the age advantage over Martinez by six years, and also comes in with fewer health concerns.
Martinez is battling back from myriad injuries, including a broken hand and multiple tears of knee ligaments. Martinez recently promised that those injuries are behind him though. I enjoy the achievement of coming back from something like this," Martinez said. "Everything is going to be fine come fight time. Right now, I am just the same as when there were no knee problems. I have overcome all obstacles."
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