Mayweather vs Cotto: Bob Arum Holds No Grudge With Cotto
by Scott Christ on Feb 3, 2012 5:11 AM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
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For those wondering how Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is feeling about Miguel Cotto working without him for a May 5 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr, Robert Morales has the answer:
"Miguel lived up to every contractual provision that we had and we lived up to every contractual provision and the contract expired. There is no animosity. We're very fond of him. ... It's not big of me to say that. If the guy had violated a contract, I wouldn't be sounding like this. But he didn't."
When Cotto (37-2, 30 KO) became a free agent following his win over Antonio Margarito in December, he chose not to re-sign with Top Rank, but indicated his feelings of loyalty to the company that has promoted him since he turned pro in 2001.
Cotto, now 31 and not appearing to be the sort who plans to hang on forever, is working without Arum simply because working with Mayweather necessitates that. And it appears that Arum understands that, and after May 5, would probably welcome Cotto back any time on any promotion. If Manny Pacquiao had been willing to fight over 147 pounds, we'd probably be talking about Pacquiao vs Cotto II in June right now instead of the Mayweather fight.
But Manny held his ground, and so did Miguel Cotto. It's an interesting case, this whole thing -- there seems to be no animosity anywhere. I'm sure it stings Arum that Cotto left the fold and will fight without him, but I mean that not in the sense that it angers Arum. I'm sure one of the guys rooting hardest for Miguel Cotto on May 5 will be Bob Arum.
As for Manny Pacquiao, negotiations this weekend are expected to lead to an announcement that Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley.
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Bob doesn't hold a grudge
But Cotto will never ever face another TR fighter. Yet, Bob doesn’t hold anything against Cotto. Right…..
"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi
I’ll damn near guarantee if his career continues after 5/5, he fights under the Top Rank banner again. I don’t know what a damn near guarantee entails, really, but I’m going with that. If he doesn’t, it’ll be his own choice.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
I’ll guarantee for you then. 100% guaranteed that cotto fights chavez after he loses to mayweather
The struggle to free myself of restraints, becomes my very shackles
by battle axe of doom on Feb 3, 2012 8:14 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That would be a really bad comeback fight and if he does it then we know it’s only about the money at this point.
Honestly, I love Cotto, but it is all about money at this point. It’s not saying he won’t give his best effort in every fight.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
You can add my guarantee too. As long as it makes money, Bob will go there.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Feb 3, 2012 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
If Cotto beats Mayweather
I bet Arum would be more than happy to sign Cotto again.
That would be kind of interesting — the fight no doubt has a rematch clause should Cotto win, so if Cotto actually signed a Top Rank deal after beating Mayweather (I doubt he would, but you never know), Mayweather would have to deal with Arum or abandon the rematch.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
He won't not should he sign a contract at this point
He will fight Floyd and if he loses seek other fights without a contract. If he wins, he wins huge as he will get a re-match as an independent
If he comes knocking back at TR’s door for Chavez for example, he will be welcomed but still not required to sign a contract. Unless…by some chance…there are more than one, maybe two TR fighters he wants to fight.
That is why it is worth keeping an eye on Canelo. If he switches banners, every big fight option for Cotto would be with TR and then , in oprder to get them favorably, they would have leverage to get him to think ard about resigning.
Lots of ifs…but lots of possibilities.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
For Waldo
Wrong.
You write with a predisposition based on no facts. Cotto and duBoef talked every day and the night before the fight with Floyd was announced. He will fight this fight independently under a different banner and the next under whichever banner (no contract he choses.
But rest assured. He will be knocking on TR’s doors as he made great efforts to keep them open. And it did not go unnoticed.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
This probably increases his dislike for Mayweather though
"I guess I can’t do anything if you’re just irrational, but to point it out and move on."
- fundamentallysound
of course because miguel didnt try and leave him for a bundle of cash while under top rank like ahem pacquiao and ahem donaire…cotto showed his loyalty and lived up to his contract and deserves his last paydays no matter what banner he fights under and top rank made him the star he is today..
come on…Donaire tried to leave because he was being underpaid and not given big fights. Miguel should be thankful to have had Arum’s backing, look at his resume, he’s won a lot of belts against weak opponents/vacant title shots.
by dasilversurfer on Feb 3, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, that’s Donaire’s story anyway.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
Sadly he lost a bit of credibility with the claim when he re-signed with Top Rank and is now taking…the exact same type fights he was taking before.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
He made $350K against Montiel. I’ve no clue what people thinking he was making before. He was never really underpaid, considering he’s not a big draw and he wasn’t bringing in huge TV money and he’s small. P4P lists don’t = money.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
Without TR
We never heard of him.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
It’s not like he’s signing with GB on a new contract, he’s just fighting out his last few fights, and I think Arum understands that Cotto is uncertain how many fights he has left.
A firestorm to purify.
Bottom line
They lobve Cotto at TR and are rooting for him for that and other reasons.
They prefer ‘white shoe’ clean image fighters like Pacquiao, Cotto and Bradley who are good ambassadors for the brand and the sport. Not angels per se but clean image guys.
There is a genuine sentiment within their organization that when Boxing was identified with Mike Tyson for example, it rose and fell on his antics in and out of the ring. When he acted out, sponsors opted out.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
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