Jose Cotto in Top Form
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Carlos González / Primera Hora
For his fight on Saturday, the boxer Jose Cotto will be treading on unfamiliar territory, as for the first time in his career he will be a fight over the 144 lbs.
Cotto, who will face Mexico's Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on Saturday , accepted the fight to be at 149 pounds.
"The issue of weight is something that worries us a bit. Jose is a natural 135, at most 140, but we accept the challenge and we have been preparing for an important victory, "said Joe Santiago yesterday, head trainer of Cotto.
"We know it will be a fight in which Jose will go into the ring a bit heavy, but we have prepared a good strategy," he added.
For Cotto's corner the fight gainst Alvarez is the ideal opportunity to return to headlines of boxing.
"This fight will put us in the majors. Jose is well motivated knowing that Alvarez is a protege of Golden Boy Promotions. It has therefore worked with great determination and commitment, "said Santiago.
Cotto began his training in Aguas Buenas before moving to Tampa, Florida, where his brother Miguel Cotto is training for his fight against Yuri Foreman on 5 June in New York.
"Jose is not the kind of person who expresses a lot, but the desire is to return to the level he reached when he once fought for a world title," said Santiago.
"The opportunity to fight with someone of the caliber of Alvarez, we had take it. It's not every day that you are part of an event of this magnitude. Everyone is watching this event and we could not pass this opportunity, "continued the young coach.
Friday's weigh can be seen live at 6:00 pm via ESPN.
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