Q&A with Miguel Cotto

April 16th, 2008

By Scoop Malinowski

WBO Junior Welterweight champ Miguel Angel Cotto spoke with Boxinginsider.com after his afternoon workout at Trinity Boxing Club in the financial district of Manhattan. Cotto, who usually only speaks in Spanish to the media, surprisingly demonstrated excellent English yesterday, which was just about as sharp as his workout which consisted of about 25 minutes of jumping rope (not a single mistake was made) and six rounds of pad work in the ring.

Read on for Cotto’s take on his challenger Saturday night Muhammad Abdullaev, Hatton’s big win, the pressure of boxing in New York City, and much more:

Boxinginsider.com: Why do you believe you shall prevail in this fight with Abdullaev?

Miguel Cotto: “To open the doors – to big fights.”

Boxinginsider.com: What do you feel is the most dangerous aspect about Abdullaev?

Miguel Cotto: “I don’t know. I don’t prepare for him…for Abdullaev. I think I prepare for myself.”

Boxinginsider.com: What about all the extra pressure of fighting in New York City, Madison Square Garden, the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend coming up – how will it effect you?

Miguel Cotto: “The people don’t bring me pressure…(they bring me) support.”

Boxinginsider.com: Were you surprised by Kostya Tszyu losing to Ricky Hatton?

Miguel Cotto: “A lot. I think Kostya Tszyu beat him in less than six rounds. But…that is boxing.”

Boxinginsider.com: Who do you like in Gatti vs. Mayweather?

Miguel Cotto: “It’s a hard fight. Because Gatti is a warrior over the ring. Gatti is going to try to put pressure on Mayweather. If he puts a lot of pressure, he wins the fight.”

Boxinginsider.com: How about Hopkins vs. Taylor?

Miguel Cotto: “I think Hopkins has too much skill for Taylor. Too much experience.”

Boxinginsider.com: Klitschko vs. Rahman?

Miguel Cotto: “Hmmm. Rahman is a strong fighter. He throws a lot of power punches. But Klitschko have the reach in the fight – if he use it in the fight, he win.”

Cotto (23-0 19 KO’s) vs. Abdullaev (15-1 12 KO’s) will be televised live from New York by HBO. Also on the show is an intriguing lightweight clash between highly-touted Kid Diamond (aka Almazbek Raiymkulov) vs. Joel Casamayor (who I believe has never really been truly clearly beaten in his pro career – his three so-called losses were all controversial decisions).

Talkin’ Boxeo with Miguel Cotto
By Scoop Malinowski

WBO Junior Welterweight campeon Miguel Angel Cotto arrived in New York yesterday for his press conference to announce title defense numero seis (six) – which will be against Paulie Malignaggi on June 10th at Madison Square Garden.

A very strong looking Cotto (26-0 with 22 KO’s) was well mannered yesterday, wearing a stylish suit, conducting himself like the mature and dignified champion that he is. There were no words of malice or disrespect for Malignaggi or any kind of shenanigans. Cotto has an impressive serious nature about him that commands respect. Without question, both in and out of the ring, he’s one of the bright lights of boxing’s present and future.

The 25-year-old champion who stated at the podium that he “will win the fight”, took time out from his very busy day to talk a little boxing:

Boxinginsider: In all of your fights, in what fight or fights did you feel the very best? Where you felt your performance was your very best?

Miguel Cotto: “All of my fights have something in them that I liked. But not one that I can mention. I think in all of them there’s been something that I liked.”

Boxinginsider: You seem to be one of those rare fighters that if when you get hurt, you actually become stronger. Are you aware of that? How do you do that?

Miguel Cotto: “I think the hunger that I have to win, that always helps me no matter what is happening. I want to win more than anything else.”

Boxinginsider: What is the fight that you most want out there? What fight do you want most of all in your career?

Miguel Cotto: “I never pick opponents. I don’t care. Whoever they tell me to fight, that’s who I will fight. They told me to fight Paulie next, so that’s who I’m fighting, Paulie.”