The time for bickering and insults is done, as Miguel Cotto will step into the ring at Madison Square Garden on Puerto Rican Day parade weekend as he is so accustomed to doing to face WBC middleweight champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez. The pay-per-view fight can be live streamed online by clicking this link.
Cotto is the underdog in this fight, going against the naturally bigger and stronger fighter. Still, Cotto's trainer Freddie Roach believes he's devised a perfect gameplan to counteract Martinez's quick and powerful hands. "Sergio is in over his head on this one," Roach said.
Martinez has expressed a deep-rooted dislike for Cotto, and has promised to knock him out in under 10 rounds. He also said he's carefully studied Cotto's film in losses and has noticed a number of weaknesses he'll be able to exploit.
"It is not only Austin Trout that made it a difficult fight for Cotto, but Mayweather and Pacquiao as well," Martinez said. "We have looked at all of those fights, and picked up on different things that have worked against Cotto. My trainer, Pablo Sarmiento, has come up with a great game plan and you will see me execute it perfectly on Saturday night.
Roach countered by saying he and Cotto have done their homework as well and noticed the same issues.
"We worked on fighting southpaws and have it down to a science now. Miguel will have no trouble with Sergio's style," Roach said. "Working opposite Miguel with Manny Pacquiao gave me great insight to Miguel's flaws. It taught me his weaknesses and during this camp I was able to eliminate them."
Pride is on the line for Maravilla tonight, as he has felt disrespected in the promotional process by Cotto's team, who demanded he be introduced second and get the red corner, honors typically given to the champion.
On Cotto's end, he's trying to become arguably the greatest fighter in Puerto Rican history by achieving his fourth title in four divisions.
"To be the first Puerto Rican to win a world title in four divisions would be an achievement," Cotto said. "Gomez, Benitez, there have been a lot of good fighters from Puerto Rico before me. When I started boxing, Tito Trinidad was our big star. A victory on Saturday night would make me feel happy and proud. I would like to be remembered as a boxer who tried to do his best."
PREDICTION: Miguel Cotto by split decision
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