Several comments were launched from the Cotto camp. Unfortunately, none were too positive for the Filipino faithful, as it relates to Pacquiao's quest to make history.
Holding a blunt and very candid position, Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto informed a local news source that "if Pacquiao wants the fight to be for the title, it will have to be at 147lbs. I won the title at the welterweight limit, and that is 147lbs".
Cotto was also bold enough to state that he would "gladly return the belts if the WBO wants to strip [him]".
This realization shines light on the original inclination of mine earlier this week that negotiations were basically fast-tracked, and that key issues had yet to be resolved, but the announcement was made a bit prematurely by Arum, which in essence put pressure on the fighters to conform.
Where does this leave Pacquiao's shot at history? Unfortunately, down in the dumps, which is the same place he tossed Shane Mosley's request to face him. (Perhaps a big mistake). A request that would have landed him not only the shot at history, but also a much easier negotiation path, as Mosley had genuinely conceded to the lower weight, lower paycheck, and all other demands desired by Team Pacquiao.
It seems that Arum's goal of keeping things in-house has backfired, and in a strange way, Cotto 'stuck' it to him as well.
Cotto managed to extend his contract by taking the fight, but he won't be putting the strap on the line, which gives everyone what they want in the deal except Manny Pacquiao, the one who probably deserves it more than any.
With all the hoopla about straps and weight, the true fight lies ahead. Few seem to be thinking clearly, but even if the belt is on the line, this doesn't appear to be a fight that will come easy for the talented Filipino.
Among the many comments Cotto made yesterday, he found time to conveniently warn Roach and Pacquiao, stating "I've got news for [them]....I'm not an Oscar De la Hoya who's at the end of his career or an overrated Ricky Hatton. This will be a war"!
With 3 months plus to wait and a lot of drama unfolding in the mean time, the only thing that does seem certain is that history will be made one way or the other on the night of November 14th.
That history will either be Pacquiao winning a record 7th world title in a 7th weight division, or Cotto making Pacquiao suffer a historical defeat at the dismay of millions.
Both men have a strong chance, and when that bell finally rings, the Hollywood antics end, and two Vegas vigilantes begin....the hard way!
Stay tuned.
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