08.06.05 – By Scoop Malinowski: WBO Junior Welterweight champ Miguel Angel Cotto spoke with Scoop 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:
Scoop: Why do you believe you shall prevail in this fight with Abdullaev?
Miguel Cotto: “To open the doors – to big fights.”
Scoop: 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.”
Scoop: 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.”
Scoop: 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.”
Scoop: 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.”
Scoop: How about Hopkins vs. Taylor?
Miguel Cotto: “I think Hopkins has too much skill for Taylor. Too much experience.”
Scoop: 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).
Contact Scoop: mrbiofile@aol.com