Miguel Cotto's negotiations with Sergio Martinez are moving slower than molasses, and are still not complete. However, with a June 7th date in mind Cotto has begun preparing for his mega fight with "Maravilla" with much of the details in place.
"The announcement of the fight between Cotto and Martinez will probably take place sometime in the month of March," Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said. "They are discussing some issues and the negotiations have been somewhat slow. But there are pitchers who throw slow, and they do their job. We are already planning the tour, which is going to be in New York, California, Puerto Rico and Argentina." Currently, the plans are reportedly "95 percent" complete.
One of the sticking points was believed to be a catchweight, will be set at 159 lbs. This will be Cotto's first fight above 154 lbs. in his entire career, but Martinez is not known as a large middleweight so the limit shouldn't be a problem. Cotto is expected to weigh 155 lbs. come fight night.
While the fighters haven't said a whole lot publicly, the animosity is being brought by Martinez, who has felt disrespected by the Puerto Rican legend in the past. Martinez boasted last month that he plans on knocking Cotto out within five rounds.
"He should never forget that I'm the champion. He has a lot of demands but I'm the champion. I'll say it, I don't think that he'll last five rounds. I would like to fight Cotto, but he is showing signs that he doesn't want to (fight), by asking for complicated conditions and he does not respect boxing history. I'm ready to knock Cotto out in five or six rounds and I know I will. He can not resist me. Disrespecting me is a very unfortunate thing. He should not forget that I'm the champion," Martinez said.
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