By Victor Salazar

Is the weight an issue or not when it comes to Saturday's fight between Miguel Cotto and Daniel Geale? According to Cotto and his handlers the 157 lb. catch-weight wasn’t an issue when the contract for the fight was signed and now Cotto and company feel Geale’s handlers are making an issue.

Geale’s promoter has said it was an issue from the start.

“It’s always been an issue,” Gary Shaw said to krikya360.com. “However we agreed to it because that’s the only way he’ll fight us. I don’tbelieve in catch-weights in championship fights. You shouldn’t limit your opponent to the legitimate weight for the title. It also confuses the fans. We have enough problems as it is. Pretty soon fighters will be making up their own weight classes.”

Shaw feels if Cotto respects boxing that he shouldn’t continue to use such a negotiating tactic.

“He’s the lineal champ,” Shaw explained “He went from the winner to the winner all the way back in time. If he wants to respect boxing, he shouldn’t be trying to get an advantage.”

Should Geale miss the contracted weight, Shaw says the likelihood of the fight happening will be in Cotto’s hands. Cotto has threatened to walk away from the fight if Geale is unable to make weight.

“That’ll be up to Cotto,” explained Shaw. "Geale has never missed weight. Hopefully he makes weight but it’ll be up to Cotto if he wants to cancel the fight if Geale comes in overweight which I don’t think he will.”

Shaw feels his fighter is being overlooked especially with the ongoing negotiations between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez for a fall showdown on HBO pay-per-view.

“I never negotiate fights in advance. They’ve been negotiating with Canelo. That means you’re overlooking your opponent. Do I think he made a mistake? Yes, I have seen Daniel Geale fight Sturm and Cotto’s not Golovkin.”