Cotto - "Mayweather always makes excuses"

By Mark Vester

WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (31-0, 25KOs) is not going to wait around for his WBC counterpart, Floyd Mayweather Jr (39-0, 25KOs), to make a decision as to whether or not he will fight him. Speaking with BoxingScene.com's Bill Emes, Cotto says he is tired of hearing excuses on why Mayweather won't take the fight.

"He always runs [from me], makes excuses on why he shouldn’t fight Miguel Cotto. I'm here for the big names. If he doesn't want to fight me than I can do something else. I don't know," Cotto said.

A lot of opponents have worked on the perfect strategy to beat Mayweather, but Cotto is confident he got the goods to pull of the upset.

"To beat Maywetaher, you have to put pressure on him, cut off the ring and be ready to throw a lot of punches, real punches - for all twelve rounds," Cotto said.

Cotto is slated for a return in March, possibly against Joshua Clottey (if he beats Shamone Alvarez on Dec. 20). There is also the possibility of Cotto meeting Oscar De La Hoya in May.

Hatton was the initial frontrunner to fight De La Hoya on the May date. After Hatton was knocked out by Mayweather on Dec. 8, the chance of meeting De La Hoya went from being a definite to a slight possibility. Cotto was one of the fighters De La Hoya mentioned as a possible dance partner for May (Hatton and Mayweather being the others). The pickings are getting slim for Oscar, so Cotto has a decent shot to land the fight.

After a huge 2007, winning important bouts over Zab Judah and Shane Mosley, the Puerto Rican superstar is looking to continue his streak of big fights in 2008. He's willing to fight whoever his promoters, Top Rank, put in front of him.

"I never choose opponents. I never ask Bob (Arum). They always make the correct fights for me. I'm going to leave these things in their hands," Cotto said.



I think cotto should fight williams/cintron winner then beat up margarito then aybe he can fight floyd because before then..he'll get torn up....cotto should just shhhhhhhhhhhhhh (for right now at least)

Cotto is more vocal in the past couple of weeks than he has been in the entire of his career!

I feel that he needs to win more titles and accolades therefore forcing Floyd to fight him.
Williams/Cintron winner would be a good bet.

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Cotto is more vocal in the past couple of weeks than he has been in the entire of his career!

I feel that he needs to win more titles and accolades therefore forcing Floyd to fight him.
Williams/Cintron winner would be a good bet.

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What is it with Hatton fans , PBF Fans and Cotto haters that keep saying this fight is no suppose to happen. Why the hell not what the f uck? he earn his chance.

Why Hatton can have a chance but not Cotto he win Kostya who else? a shot Castillo?

pure nonsense

I think its unfair for people to already come out with *Mayweather is ducking Cotto* because Mayweather has just fought so it is unfair. Does this fight need to happen ?? of course it does im Mayweather fan and i want to 100 percent see it, it will be a great stylistic match up and it will happen just be patient.

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Cotto is more vocal in the past couple of weeks than he has been in the entire of his career!

I feel that he needs to win more titles and accolades therefore forcing Floyd to fight him.
Williams/Cintron winner would be a good bet.

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I disagree even if Williams does beat Cintron, Cotto is still more worthy of his shot than Williams is. There isn't a Welterweight out there that deserves a shot at Mayweather more than Cotto does.

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Originally Posted by Puya

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Cotto is more vocal in the past couple of weeks than he has been in the entire of his career!

I feel that he needs to win more titles and accolades therefore forcing Floyd to fight him.
Williams/Cintron winner would be a good bet.

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What is it with Hatton fans , PBF Fans and Cotto haters that keep saying this fight is no suppose to happen. Why the hell not what the f uck? he earn his chance.

Why Hatton can have a chance but not Cotto he win Kostya who else? a shot Castillo?

pure nonsense

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Because Cotto is an intimidating Champion and a risk for any fighter.

Mayweather will wait until Cotto either makes himself beneficial by pulling in huge money or loses in which case Mayweather will not be obliged to fight him.

I was stating that if Cotto fight and beats the winner of Williams and Cintron Mayweather will feel obliged to fight him. And perhaps to clarify i meant Cotto to fight the winner of Williams Cintron as I want Cotto to get a shot a t floyd.

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

I think its unfair for people to already come out with *Mayweather is ducking Cotto* because Mayweather has just fought so it is unfair. Does this fight need to happen ?? of course it does im Mayweather fan and i want to 100 percent see it, it will be a great stylistic match up and it will happen just be patient.

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You the man first a boxing fan then a Boxers fan.
I'm not judging PBF I'm talking about why some fans for some reason don't want this fight to happen.

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

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Originally Posted by Puya

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Cotto is more vocal in the past couple of weeks than he has been in the entire of his career!

I feel that he needs to win more titles and accolades therefore forcing Floyd to fight him.
Williams/Cintron winner would be a good bet.

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What is it with Hatton fans , PBF Fans and Cotto haters that keep saying this fight is no suppose to happen. Why the hell not what the f uck? he earn his chance.

Why Hatton can have a chance but not Cotto he win Kostya who else? a shot Castillo?

pure nonsense

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Because Cotto is an intimidating Champion and a risk for any fighter.

Mayweather will wait until Cotto either makes himself beneficial by pulling in huge money or loses in which case Mayweather will not be obliged to fight him.

I was stating that if Cotto fight and beats the winner of Williams and Cintron Mayweather will feel obliged to fight him. And perhaps to clarify i meant Cotto to fight the winner of Williams Cintron as I want Cotto to get a shot a t floyd.

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you are the exception buddy

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Originally Posted by Puya

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

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Originally Posted by Puya

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Cotto is more vocal in the past couple of weeks than he has been in the entire of his career!

I feel that he needs to win more titles and accolades therefore forcing Floyd to fight him.
Williams/Cintron winner would be a good bet.

---

What is it with Hatton fans , PBF Fans and Cotto haters that keep saying this fight is no suppose to happen. Why the hell not what the f uck? he earn his chance.

Why Hatton can have a chance but not Cotto he win Kostya who else? a shot Castillo?

pure nonsense

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Because Cotto is an intimidating Champion and a risk for any fighter.

Mayweather will wait until Cotto either makes himself beneficial by pulling in huge money or loses in which case Mayweather will not be obliged to fight him.

I was stating that if Cotto fight and beats the winner of Williams and Cintron Mayweather will feel obliged to fight him. And perhaps to clarify i meant Cotto to fight the winner of Williams Cintron as I want Cotto to get a shot a t floyd.

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you are the exception buddy

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CC Puya. I understand why you misunderstood my first post, my wording was poor.

I want Cotto to fight Floyd as much as anybody!

Lets just look at the stats of some of the top Welterweights best wins.

Cotto's Best Wins At Welterweight

Zab Judah
Shane Mosley
Oktay Urkal
Carlos Quintana

Paul Williams Best Wins

Antonio Margarito
Sharmba Mitchell
Walter Dario Matthysse

Antonio Margarito's Best Wins

Joshua Clottey
Kermit Cintron


Kermit Cintron's Best Wins

Walter Dario Matthysse
Teddy Reid

I think its no-brainer personally.

Well, I'm a pretty big fan of Cotto and I don't want him to face Mayweather yet.

And it is not really cuz I don't think he can beat him. I think he has a hell of a chance. But I don't think it's the right time. He made it to the A-Class just two fights ago and he just entered the Elite on his last fight. If he goes for PBF now it will be too much too quick. If he loses than everybody will say it was all a fluke, that Judah wasn't that good and that Mosley was old.

Cotto is ready, don't get me wrong. But what's the hurry. Let him establish himself as what he is. Let him leave no doubt that he is the man to beat at WW. He's better than all the others so he should have nothing to fear from them. Fight them, fight Williams, Cintron, Margarito, De la Hoya, fight them and take them all out. Leave Mayweather no option. Only then will Cotto truelly be ready, only then will the fight truelly be big.

I mean look at the prediction thread I opened. It was 28 to 4 in Mayweather's favor. This is not the type of odds we should get on a fight between the two top dogs.

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Originally Posted by The Rookie Fan

Well, I'm a pretty big fan of Cotto and I don't want him to face Mayweather yet.

And it is not really cuz I don't think he can beat him. I think he has a hell of a chance. But I don't think it's the right time. He made it to the A-Class just two fights ago and he just entered the Elite on his last fight. If he goes for PBF now it will be too much too quick. If he loses than everybody will say it was all a fluke, that Judah wasn't that good and that Mosley was old.

Cotto is ready, don't get me wrong. But what's the hurry. Let him establish himself as what he is. Let him leave no doubt that he is the man to beat at WW. He's better than all the others so he should have nothing to fear from them. Fight them, fight Williams, Cintron, Margarito, De la Hoya, fight them and take them all out. Leave Mayweather no option. Only then will Cotto truelly be ready, only then will the fight truelly be big.

I mean look at the prediction thread I opened. It was 28 to 4 in Mayweather's favor. This is not the type of odds we should get on a fight between the two top dogs.

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If i was a part of Cotto's team i wouldn't stick him anywhhre near Magarito, Hoya, or Williams. There all bad stylistic match ups for him.

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

If i was a part of Cotto's team i wouldn't stick him anywhhre near Magarito, Hoya, or Williams. There all bad stylistic match ups for him.

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Williams is a tough matchup for Cotto, and he'll be a tough matchup for anyone.

I don't think Margarito is a bad style matchup at all. Margarito is mediocre defensively and will give Cotto plenty of opportunites to hit him. Basically, if you think Margarito is going to give Cotto all types of trouble, it's because you think he can outpunch Cotto. I don't think he can.

I also don't think De La Hoya can take 12 rounds of the physical type of fighting that Cotto forces on you. It would be a competitive fight, but I like Cotto in that one.

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Originally Posted by SweetPea

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

If i was a part of Cotto's team i wouldn't stick him anywhhre near Magarito, Hoya, or Williams. There all bad stylistic match ups for him.

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Williams is a tough matchup for Cotto, and he'll be a tough matchup for anyone.

I don't think Margarito is a bad style matchup at all. Margarito is mediocre defensively and will give Cotto plenty of opportunites to hit him. Basically, if you think Margarito is going to give Cotto all types of trouble, it's because you think he can outpunch Cotto. I don't think he can.

I also don't think De La Hoya can take 12 rounds of the physical type of fighting that Cotto forces on you. It would be a competitive fight, but I like Cotto in that one.

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I don't think Margarito is a bad style matchup at all. Margarito is mediocre defensively and will give Cotto plenty of opportunites to hit him. Basically, if you think Margarito is going to give Cotto all types of trouble, it's because you think he can outpunch Cotto. I don't think he can.

Margarito is a big Welterweight, and he can take a great punch and hits very hard. He also a high work rate, And for offensive fighter like Cotto who does get hit it a lot, it certainly is a bad style match up for him.

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

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Originally Posted by SweetPea

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

If i was a part of Cotto's team i wouldn't stick him anywhhre near Magarito, Hoya, or Williams. There all bad stylistic match ups for him.

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Williams is a tough matchup for Cotto, and he'll be a tough matchup for anyone.

I don't think Margarito is a bad style matchup at all. Margarito is mediocre defensively and will give Cotto plenty of opportunites to hit him. Basically, if you think Margarito is going to give Cotto all types of trouble, it's because you think he can outpunch Cotto. I don't think he can.

I also don't think De La Hoya can take 12 rounds of the physical type of fighting that Cotto forces on you. It would be a competitive fight, but I like Cotto in that one.

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I don't think Margarito is a bad style matchup at all. Margarito is mediocre defensively and will give Cotto plenty of opportunites to hit him. Basically, if you think Margarito is going to give Cotto all types of trouble, it's because you think he can outpunch Cotto. I don't think he can.

Margarito is a big Welterweight, and he can take a great punch and hits very hard. He also a high work rate, And for offensive fighter like Cotto who does get hit it a lot, it certainly is a bad style match up for him.

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We'll have to agree to disagree.
When/if Cotto loses, it will be to a fighter whose speed and defense he couldn't solve. Margarito does not have good speed or defense. Not to mention that Margarito consistently leaves himself WIDE open for left hooks, which is Cotto's most devestating punch.

Cotto said the way to beat Mayweather is put pressure on and cut ring off is'nt this what Hatton did?

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Cotto said the way to beat Mayweather is put pressure on and cut ring off is'nt this what Hatton did?

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There's a big difference though. Cotto has a well-rounded offensive attack and most importantly, a stiff slegdehammer jab.

The reason Hatton had no chance (and I stated this many times before the fight) was because he just stormed in with no jab whatsoever. While I would pick Floyd to beat Cotto, I would give Cotto a good chance of pulling an upset, because of the way he has developed his jab and his right cross. If he were still a straight-ahead fighter who focused entirely on left hooks, I would not give him much chance.

You can't cut off the ring with just your feet against Floyd, you have to cut the ring off with your jab.

when are they going to learn? There is no "way" to beat floyd...no one way that is...any camp that trains to fight floyd with only one plan is going to get beaten..you have to have at least three different plans a round to beat floyd..when he adapts you must adapt quickly enough to steal the round and before you know it the fights over and you have a shot at a decision and if one is lucky maybe floyd will panic down the stretch and get caught by a good punch that will end his night..

but that "the way" strategy will just get you beaten everytime.. example if cotto tries to cut off the ring either with his jab or volumes of punches floyd will throw right leads and circle or he might even sit on the inside and beat cotto that way..either way it will take at least six game plans to beat him..

Get Cotto in there against Floyd. Cotto has stepped up big time in the last year and Mayweather is an obvious final step on the ladder to the top.

Cotto has a chance, and it would be great to see how it unfolds...

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Cotto said the way to beat Mayweather is put pressure on and cut ring off is'nt this what Hatton did?

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Exactly what I thought..He has just seen that that strategy doesn't work against Mayweather. SweetPea is right as well though, Hatton never used his jab and we know Oscars caused Floyd a little trouble when he was using it. I don't think Cotto has the reach to make it as effective though.
Floyd is the most versatile fighter on the planet so he better bring Plans A-Z with him when he fights Floyd (and yes I said when, I know this fight will happen! It has to and Floyd knows it)

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Cotto is more vocal in the past couple of weeks than he has been in the entire of his career!

I feel that he needs to win more titles and accolades therefore forcing Floyd to fight him.
Williams/Cintron winner would be a good bet.

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The williams cintron winner will be williams. Cintron isnt all that good. Williams could give cotto probs with his reach but i would see cotto gettin inside and tearin him down. Margarito wouldnt be able to handle cotto either.

Mayweather just fought the guy most wanted to see him in against this past weekend and since he didn't jump up and sign a contract to fight cotto during the post fight interview he's ducking cotto ??? The same would have been said if he didn't fight hatton and beat cotto instead. The cotto floyd fight is the fight we for the most part want to see so i hope it does get made, i don't think cotto will beat floyd but cotto has earned it as much as the next guy. But all this floyd ducking cotto, margarito or whoever since it's different every couple of months is old.

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Originally Posted by Ricardo "Finito" Lopez

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Originally Posted by SweetPea

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

If i was a part of Cotto's team i wouldn't stick him anywhhre near Magarito, Hoya, or Williams. There all bad stylistic match ups for him.

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Williams is a tough matchup for Cotto, and he'll be a tough matchup for anyone.

I don't think Margarito is a bad style matchup at all. Margarito is mediocre defensively and will give Cotto plenty of opportunites to hit him. Basically, if you think Margarito is going to give Cotto all types of trouble, it's because you think he can outpunch Cotto. I don't think he can.

I also don't think De La Hoya can take 12 rounds of the physical type of fighting that Cotto forces on you. It would be a competitive fight, but I like Cotto in that one.

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I don't think Margarito is a bad style matchup at all. Margarito is mediocre defensively and will give Cotto plenty of opportunites to hit him. Basically, if you think Margarito is going to give Cotto all types of trouble, it's because you think he can outpunch Cotto. I don't think he can.

Margarito is a big Welterweight, and he can take a great punch and hits very hard. He also a high work rate, And for offensive fighter like Cotto who does get hit it a lot, it certainly is a bad style match up for him.

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I disagree that Margarito hits hard. It's a common misconception. He is a volume puncher; he does not have one-punch power. He has plenty of KOs, but they're all cumulative. I'm not saying he's totally feather-fisted, but his wins are all about throwing a thousand punches (which is why he lost against Williams -- he thought he could get it done with power instead).

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Originally Posted by Ricardo "Finito" Lopez

I think its unfair for people to already come out with *Mayweather is ducking Cotto* because Mayweather has just fought so it is unfair. Does this fight need to happen ?? of course it does im Mayweather fan and i want to 100 percent see it, it will be a great stylistic match up and it will happen just be patient.

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Mayweather is ducking man, plain and simple. Cotto just fought too. That's what fighters do, fight and then fight some more. It's not like he had a grueling fight and got cut or anything.

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

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Originally Posted by Ricardo "Finito" Lopez

I think its unfair for people to already come out with *Mayweather is ducking Cotto* because Mayweather has just fought so it is unfair. Does this fight need to happen ?? of course it does im Mayweather fan and i want to 100 percent see it, it will be a great stylistic match up and it will happen just be patient.

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Mayweather is ducking man, plain and simple. Cotto just fought too. That's what fighters do, fight and then fight some more. It's not like he had a grueling fight and got cut or anything.

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Oh come on you don't just arrange fights just after you fought, thats just plain silly People are so impatient.

Let's see if floyd is going to tell ellerbe to make this fight like he did when Hatton called him out. Doubt it.

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

Let's see if floyd is going to tell ellerbe to make this fight like he did when Hatton called him out. Doubt it.

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Well who knows ?? but people need to seriously stop being so impatient. I mean people are already saying Mayweather is ducking Cotto when Mayweather has only just fought it makes no sense at all.

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Originally Posted by Ricardo "Finito" Lopez

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

Let's see if floyd is going to tell ellerbe to make this fight like he did when Hatton called him out. Doubt it.

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Well who knows ?? but people need to seriously stop being so impatient. I mean people are already saying Mayweather is ducking Cotto when Mayweather has only just fought it makes no sense at all.

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floyd says he's not fighting, I didn't

I really hate to jump on the band wagon but i feel the problem with PBF is that Cotto was able to beat Shane Mosley, deep down i feel thats the problem. Cotto was actually able to deal with 2 different types of speed meaning Zab and Mosley. PBF has no problem with Cotto beating Zab, but Shane is another story. PBF actually predicted Shane to beat Cotto. Dont get me wrong Cotto did'nt man handle Shane at all, it showed Floyd that Cotto has more than 1 dimension, and can take a damn good punch, because Shane put that to the test.

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

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Originally Posted by Ricardo "Finito" Lopez

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

Let's see if floyd is going to tell ellerbe to make this fight like he did when Hatton called him out. Doubt it.

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Well who knows ?? but people need to seriously stop being so impatient. I mean people are already saying Mayweather is ducking Cotto when Mayweather has only just fought it makes no sense at all.

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floyd says he's not fighting, I didn't

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That was less than a week ago.

It makes me wonder how the hell floyd is a champion in any weight class.....with all the claims of floyd running, ducking, dodging, how the hell did he get all those belts. Weren't the fighters floyd faced to get his belts champions ??? Or is he just getting belts from vacancies and over the hill bums people claim he fights, hell if the guys he beat are so bad and not worth giving floyd credit for how did they even get the belts. It's impressive enough to be champ in one weight class but as many as he's won. He's pretty successful for a guy who runs in the ring, runs from competition, is scared of everyone he hasn't fought, has no power,weak hands,cheats, the list goes on. I'm starting to agree...if he doesn't fight for the belt twice before the year is over i've lost all respect for floyd and one of those fights should be at light heavyweight, hell if jones can win a heavyweight bout floyd should at least be able to win at light heavy or it means nothing.

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Originally Posted by Mar

It makes me wonder how the hell floyd is a champion in any weight class.....with all the claims of floyd running, ducking, dodging, how the hell did he get all those belts. Weren't the fighters floyd faced to get his belts champions ??? Or is he just getting belts from vacancies and over the hill bums people claim he fights, hell if the guys he beat are so bad and not worth giving floyd credit for how did they even get the belts. It's impressive enough to be champ in one weight class but as many as he's won. He's pretty successful for a guy who runs in the ring, runs from competition, is scared of everyone he hasn't fought, has no power,weak hands,cheats, the list goes on. I'm starting to agree...if he doesn't fight for the belt twice before the year is over i've lost all respect for floyd and one of those fights should be at light heavyweight, hell if jones can win a heavyweight bout floyd should at least be able to win at light heavy or it means nothing.

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I'll give you a perfect example : Floyd fought DLH who won the title after sitting at home for about a year and a half and didn't even receive any pressure to make a mandatory while sitting around for yet another year with the title that floyd ultimately took away from a grossly inactive Oscar. exhale

Keep talking sheet Miguel. That might be the only way you get FLoyd in the ring-by challenging his manhood! I know it's against Miguel's personality, but you gotta do what you gotta do!