Boxing Press Conference: Miguel Cotto – Shane Mosley

Click for larger image © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

Madison Square Garden in New York City was the second stop of a three-city press tour to promote the upcoming World Welterweight title fight set for November 10, 2007 at the “Mecca of Boxing”. The bout dubbed “Fast and Furious” will be the third title defense for undefeated WBA champion Miguel Cotto, 30-0 (25), as he faces four-time world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley, 44-4 (37).

“Fast and Furious” is a great matchup for boxing and more importantly the fans, thanks to the reconciliation between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank. After years of rivalry and refusing to work together Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, and Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, seemed like old friends.

Schaefer compared this championship fight with others from the “Mecca of Boxing”. “I have no doubt that this bout will go down in the history books alongside the best ever at Madison Square Garden, this will be one of the fights we talk about for a long time.”

Golden Boy East President, Bernard Hopkins, could not help but compare his epic battle with Tito Trinidad at Madison Square Garden to Cotto and Mosley. The Hispanic community in New York has adopted Cotto, just as they had Trinidad when Hopkins met him in the ring.

Hopkins stated, “A lot is riding on Cotto’s shoulders in this bout, and the Hispanic community respects that. You’re going to hear Cotto! Cotto! Cotto! The name will start to change as the fight goes on but not because of what they hear, but because of what they see in the ring.”

Although Mosley spoke highly of his opponent he feels that he has had the bigger challenges in his career. “Cotto is one of the best welterweights out there besides me… I respect Cotto, he’s good, but he hasn’t faced the opposition that I have faced in my career which includes victories of Oscar De La Hoya twice.”

Mosley feels that his experience with successfully facing different styles of fighters will be his advantage over Cotto’s straight forward approach. “I believe Cotto’s style is perfect for me… he is going to come straight forward right at me and that’s exactly what I am looking for. I am the type of fighter that knows how to deal with any situation and for this fight I am going to bring everything, whatever is necessary to win.”

Cotto was respectful of Mosley stating, “Everybody knows the caliber of fighter Mosley is, but everyone also knows about my capacity, and for this fight I have been training 100%. I am going to train 200% because I’ll be ready for whatever Mosley is going to bring to the table.”

It seemed that Cotto took Hopkins’ lead in his reference to his match with Trinidad, but with a different angle about the fans. “In Puerto Rico , New York and Las Vegas, I have been watching how my fans have been growing. I will get more fans and defeating anyone will put me on that level, and defeating Shane Mosley will do that. I am not the same as Tito Trinidad; I am going to be even more popular.”

Cotto closed the press conference in style by presenting Mosley with an early birthday gift. A large cake shaped as a boxing ring was wheeled out with figures of Cotto standing in one corner and Mosley lying on the mat next to the words KO.

Click for larger image © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing