By Paul Upham: WBO junior welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is more than willing to face Ricky Hatton in 2006. The 25 year-old Puerto Rican told SecondsOut in an exclusive interview this week that if the promoters involved make the fight, he would be very happy to step into the ring with the "Hitman" from Manchester.
"I never choose my opponents," said Cotto 25-0 (21). "I never choose my fights. That is up to my company. If Ricky Hatton is in the plans, we will do it, no question about it."
After knocking out Carlos Maussa on November 26 to add the WBA junior welterweight title to the IBF belt already around his waist, 27 year-old Hatton 40-0 (30) made it clear that the two other major world title-holders at 140lbs were in his sights.
"I want Mayweather and Miguel Cotto. Look at these eyes. I want those
fights and I'll get them," he declared.
Cotto looks to make the fifth defence of his WBO world title when he faces Italian Gianluca Branco on March 4 at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on HBO.
While revealing that his promoter, Bob Arum's Top Rank, had plans for him to face Mexican Jose Luis Castillo before the end of 2006, Cotto is open to the idea of fighting Hatton if the clash is presented to him.
"I have seen very little of him, but what I have seen of him he looks like he is a very good fighter," he said of Hatton. "I am hoping that we get together and that the promoters do decide to make the fight. I think it will be a great fight."
Cotto feels that all-round boxing skill is what is going to be the underdoing of the power-pressure game plan of the undefeated Hatton.
"In boxing, you have to be able to do everything," he explained. "Sometimes you have to be fast, sometimes you have to be offensive. Sometimes you have to be aggressive and strong. It is better off to be able to do all of it and not just one thing."
"I never choose my opponents," said Cotto 25-0 (21). "I never choose my fights. That is up to my company. If Ricky Hatton is in the plans, we will do it, no question about it."
After knocking out Carlos Maussa on November 26 to add the WBA junior welterweight title to the IBF belt already around his waist, 27 year-old Hatton 40-0 (30) made it clear that the two other major world title-holders at 140lbs were in his sights.
"I want Mayweather and Miguel Cotto. Look at these eyes. I want those
fights and I'll get them," he declared.
Cotto looks to make the fifth defence of his WBO world title when he faces Italian Gianluca Branco on March 4 at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on HBO.
While revealing that his promoter, Bob Arum's Top Rank, had plans for him to face Mexican Jose Luis Castillo before the end of 2006, Cotto is open to the idea of fighting Hatton if the clash is presented to him.
"I have seen very little of him, but what I have seen of him he looks like he is a very good fighter," he said of Hatton. "I am hoping that we get together and that the promoters do decide to make the fight. I think it will be a great fight."
Cotto feels that all-round boxing skill is what is going to be the underdoing of the power-pressure game plan of the undefeated Hatton.
"In boxing, you have to be able to do everything," he explained. "Sometimes you have to be fast, sometimes you have to be offensive. Sometimes you have to be aggressive and strong. It is better off to be able to do all of it and not just one thing."
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