Did Floyd dodge Cotto in 2007/2008?

[IronDanHamza]

You're saying what Floyd could have or should have done if he wanted to but he did what actually happened and what I am telling you. Show me the video and the link. Here is exactly what happened.....





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That's why the fight with Margarito didn't happen homie. Everything you're talking about is your opinion of what Floyd could have done.

This still doesn't change the fact that Margarito was available as early as when he fought Zab Judah.

But he fought Judah instead at that point.

How is this an opinion? Are you trying to say Margarito wasn't an option at that point for Mayweather?

I told you, I can't find a link but I find it surprising you can't remember that Margarito was absolutely an option for Mayweather when he fought Judah.

The link you have provided is after the Judah fight.

[warp1432]

Imagine if this were 1987, I wonder if pewople would be complaining that Leonard waited 5 yearas to fight Hagler.

Different circumstances. Leonard and Hagler were still at the top more or less. Hagler was still defending his middleweight crown and even with Leonard's layoff, it was intriguing because it was two of the sports biggest names and Hagler's dominance added a factor of intrigue.

Cotto has not had Hagler's dominance, which doesn't make it as interesting. Cotto has lost to Pacquiao and Margarito, which takes the luster off this fight that was there in 2008.

Whether Mayweather wanted to fight Cotto or not, Cotto was under Bob Arum. Either way, Floyd vs Cotto wasn't going to happen at that time.

So what if Cotto was under Bob Arum? I can understand how Arum is holding up the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight (where I think both camps are to blame), but a lot of the elements holding up the fight wouldn't be there in Cotto-Mayweather.

Keep in mind, Arum could have made the most money with Cotto-Mayweather. It could be said that for Pacquiao-Mayweather too, but the difference is Cotto would normally make around a million or so and Pacquiao makes 20 million, which is incentive for Top Rank to keep all the money in house.

[GRUSTLER]

This still doesn't change the fact that Margarito was available as early as when he fought Zab Judah.

But he fought Judah instead at that point.

How is this an opinion? Are you trying to say Margarito wasn't an option at that point for Mayweather?

I told you, I can't find a link but I find it surprising you can't remember that Margarito was absolutely an option for Mayweather when he fought Judah.

The link you have provided is after the Judah fight.

Floyd left Bob Arum/Top Rank after the Judah fight. That's my point. You keep saying how Floyd could have fought Margarito and how he was an option and I clearly showed you that Floyd wanted the fight but Arum had to get him the guarantees he wanted on Cotto/Hatton and the 20MIL for Oscar. The fight with Margarito didn't happen because Arum didn't want to get the deal(s) Floyd wanted. It's right there, so what are you talking about? At the time Zab was a better fight than Margarito at the time and that should not even be disputed. Floyd could have done anything he wanted or chose to do but fact of the matter is that he did what he did and those are the facts and not saying what he could have done because he did try to make the fight but it didn't happen. Case closed.

[IronDanHamza]

Floyd left Bob Arum/Top Rank after the Judah fight. That's my point. You keep saying how Floyd could have fought Margarito and how he was an option and I clearly showed you that Floyd wanted the fight but Arum had to get him the guarantees he wanted on Cotto/Hatton and the 20MIL for Oscar. The fight with Margarito didn't happen because Arum didn't want to get the deal(s) Floyd wanted. It's right there, so what are you talking about? At the time Zab was a better fight than Margarito at the time and that should not even be disputed. Floyd could have done anything he wanted or chose to do but fact of the matter is that he did what he did and those are the facts and not saying what he could have done because he did try to make the fight but it didn't happen. Case closed.

You keep referring back to the point that he wanted Cotto, Hatton and Oscar. I'm talking before that. Before he fought Judah.

Zab Judah was not considered to be better than Margarito at the time Mayweather fought him.

Judah was coming off a loss and Margarito was ranked higher than him at WW.

[BoxingGenius27]

Its funny the things that Cotto has to do to earns a shot with Maywether when Maywether has fought less recognition fighters in Boxing resume and in exposure. Baldomir has a better resume than Cotto? i don think so who he beats? Judah ok impresive what more he got? nobody. And what do you think about Henry Bruseles? a sparring partner of Cotto. thats a guy thats is not even a champ. Sharmba Mitchell has a better resume than Cotto? i don think so neither and he got his shot. For your info Cotto can be if he fights Floyd one of the top 5 oponents that maywether would have if we look to his resume. And how many fights Floyd has? more than 30 i guess. So that tells you that theres like 25 oponents that floyd has fought that are lesser qualified than Cotto. So why Cotto has to do more???. You are asking a guy that already has a better resume than most of the oponents that floyd has in his carrer and also is a champ to fight the other top 5 welters that the same floyd dont want a piece of them to only have a shot with him? Thats is disrespectful and unfair. But that is not a problem because Cotto is not on a vacation and if the fight with Foyd doesnt materialize hes going to fight the best oposition in 147. The gomez fight is a tune up fight waiting what happens with floyd or DLH because Williams has to raise his exposure i bit more. But expected i fight with margarito by the end of the year. That would give time to williams to enhance his exposure and later of margarito he can take williams if maywether keeps ducking him.

I don't want to sound like I know what I'm talking about. I don't. But here's what this situation looks like to me. Cotto wants Mayweather and he thinks he has a chance to get the fight. But, Mayweather isn't going to take that fight. He's going to fight De La Hoya for a ****load of money. So, what Cotto is doing is taking this crap fight against Gomez and hoping that the De La Hoya/Mayweather II fight doesn't materialize. If De La Hoya/Mayweather II doesn't happen, Cotto can fight De La Hoya or Mayweather. That's why he has to keep his options open before scheduling a big fight against someone like Williams. If De La Hoya/Mayweather II does happen, you will almost certainly see Cotto fight Williams in Puerto Rico.

It don't make no sense. didn't he tell us his body was breaking down? he was gona try MMA? bored with boxing? money may loves makin money right? so which excuse is it really? or are they all bogus excuses?

now why would he go into a year's hiding? is he hiding and hoping that Cotto loses, then he can come back louder than ever?

I beleive this is exactly it. he is actually in hiding from Cotto. He will give it 12 months and hopes Cotto loses or suckers in and signs to fight Williams and loses to the Punisher. Then money may will come back in 08 and do his Look at me act, and go right back to the handpicking again,.

there is no doubt he is hiding from Cotto.

it makes smart business sense to duck Cotto who could damage him and his career. sacrifice 12 months of money is worth ducking Cotto who could ruin his whole career, which is that 0.

Cotto has to play his cards smart. wait until the weasel comes out of his hole then take him.

These post were made in January 2008. NOTHING about Bob Arum.

Granted Arum didn't push the fight like he should have, but we're talking about Mayweather already saying in interviews that he wouldn't fight Cotto either way. The only thing I recall hearing from Mayweather is he needs a break from boxing.

I feel like this was sort of the public feeling at the time.

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

So basically you are cosigning Cotto not pushing for the fight but saying Floyd didn't want the fight because he was in the drivers seat and should have pushed for it? Since when does the champ push to fight the challenger? Mayweather was the man to beat back then and Cotto was coming up. Cotto was supposed to get Arum on it and make the fight happen like how Floyd went after Oscar, Hatton went after Mayweather. list of other challengers who went for the champion and man on top dates back and goes on. That excuse you gave is pretty lame.

What excuse?

Cotto wasn't pushing for the fight back then, Mayweather was the man, fight never happened. Cotto wasn't pushing for the fight now, Mayweather is still the man, the fight is happening. According to your logic, the man shouldn't pursue the challenger, so why is the fight happening now? Was it not Mayweather who put Cotto on his list of opponents?

Why, because Mayweather wants it. Same way if he wanted it then, he would have made an attempt to get it done then. Cotto could have gotten Arum on it, slapped Mayweather's momma with a brick. It doesn't mean **** if Mayweather doesn't want the fight. For your list of challengers who made a play for a champ and got the fight, I could make one just as big for those that didn't get the opportunity, no matter how much they begged.


Do you think Hatton made a play for Mayweather, you're wrong, it's the other way around. Mayweather had his sights on Hatton before Hatton had his first Welterweight fight. Go watch the Sworn Enemies build up for Mayweather vs Judah, and you'll hear Mayweather talk about his desire to fight Hatton. Hatton vs. Mayweather didn't happen because Hatton clowned him(even though people always claim he called him out), it happened because Mayweather wanted it to happen.

Stop pretending to not know how the sport works.

[GRUSTLER]

You keep referring back to the point that he wanted Cotto, Hatton and Oscar. I'm talking before that. Before he fought Judah.

Zab Judah was not considered to be better than Margarito at the time Mayweather fought him.

Judah was coming off a loss and Margarito was ranked higher than him at WW.

When Floyd agreed to fight Zab Judah, he was the undisputed WW champion and commercially he was a better fight than Margarito. Floyd honoring his word is what's up. Nobody ever even heard of Antonio Margarito.

[IronDanHamza]

When Floyd agreed to fight Zab Judah, he was the undisputed WW champion and commercially he was a better fight than Margarito. Floyd honoring his word is what's up. Nobody ever even heard of Antonio Margarito.

And then he lost.

And then Margarito was considered better, ranked higher, an would have been a better win.

Instead, like you said, he honoured his agreement.

Do I understand the reasoning? Yes.

Did he have to? No.

He could have told Zab he blew it. And since he lost, lost his chance.

He chose to honour it.

[HandSpeed303]

And then he lost.

And then Margarito was considered better, ranked higher, an would have been a better win.

Instead, like you said, he honoured his agreement.

Do I understand the reasoning? Yes.

Did he have to? No.

He could have told Zab he blew it. And since he lost, lost his chance.

He chose to honour it.

Funny how Floyd fans have no problem justifying Margo's loss to Paul Williams, but stand firm on this...

Anyway, I really don't care. Really I don't! I just still find it hard to believe people still bring this stuff up...

For the record though (I think you and Glust have touch on it already), Margo and Floyd were in talks (no contract to fight, just talks) leading up to the Margo/Gomez fight...I think that was in 2006. Right around the Zab fight or whatever.

Glust, I agree with most of the stuff you say, but Floyd should have chose Margo instead of Zab (after his loss to Baldi). Doesn't matter now, but it did then.

[4Corners]

I find it funny that people don't remember Floyd and his camp calling Cotto out from 05-06, where Top Rank replied with "Cotto isn't ready for Floyd", but than once Floyd left Top Rank and announced he was done with the sport after Hatton, Top Rank and Cotto said he was ducking. Cotto is finished with Top Rank, and the fight is made. It's interesting when you look at the entire picture.

Cotto is past his prime-still good right now, so is Floyd Mayweather. It's happening now at 154 while Cotto is still good. Cotto hasn't been prime since 2008, most know that, but he's still good. Floyd hasn't been prime since 2007.

Can't we all just shut the f**k up and enjoy the two good PPV fights in Mayweather-Cotto at 154 and Pacquiao-Bradley......I hope so, but I wouldn't count on it.

There are instances where certain guys don't fight certain guys, whether it's right or wrong, and we just have to deal with it. Floyd is fighting Cotto now, good for him. Floyd didn't fight Tszyu at 140 or Margarito at 147, oh well. Pacquiao didn't fight Raheem in 05-06 or Guzman in 06-07, oh well. Joe Louis never fought Max Baer, I don't hear anyone claiming Joe ducked Max Baer.

By the way, in reference to Floyd-Tszyu, I don't blame Floyd for not fighting Tszyu in 2004-2005. Tszyu had been retired for nearly 2 years when he fought Corley, and Tszyu came back to fight Mitchell. Had Floyd fought Tszyu coming off nearly 2 years of retirement, EVERYONE would have just said Tszyu was old and coming off a layoff, a lose-lose for Floyd. When Floyd made the Gatti fight (Yes, Gatti was past his prime, but Arturo was coming off wins over Ward, Branco, Dorin, and Leija, and was still one of the top JWW at the time), Tszyu made the Hatton fight. If anyone remembers back then, Top Rank was negotiating a Floyd-Tszyu fight to happen after those fights and Tszyu got beat by Ricky Hatton, who Floyd fought in 2007. Floyd chose to move to 147 after the Gatti fight, oh well.

Both Manny and Floyd have fought a ton of good fights and had a ton of good wins, both are ATG's. Hopefully they end up fighting each other, or it's going to be a black spot on both guys, but oh well.