Next Saturday, December 2, 2006, on Showtime Championship Boxing, there will be two potentially non-stop action fights, according to promoter Bob Arum. Undefeated Miguel Cotto, 27-0 with 22 KOs, will be stepping up to welterweight for the first time in his career to take on Carlos Quintana, 23-0 with 18 KOs for the WBA belt recently vacated by Ricky Hatton. The other bout on the show features hard hitting Antonio Margarito, 33-4 with 24 KOs will put his WBO belt on the line against dangerous Joshua Clottey, 29-1 with 18 KOs. Once again, Boxingtalk was on hand for a conference call with Cotto and Quintana, to discuss their highly anticipated bout.
Good, quality, action fights is exactly what boxing needs. “Unless boxing starts producing more thrilling fights like last week’s Pacquiao vs. Morales III, the sport is doomed,” said Arum, Cotto’s promoter since he turned pro following the 2000 Olympics. Cotto, who just gave up the WBO 140-pound belt, seems ready to live up to the expectations, stating he is “very happy to be here. I’m sure this will be a thrilling fight for everyone. I’ve worked hard and I want to put on a good show.”
Cotto feels that the jump from 140 to 147 will do nothing but help him. “I’ve worked hard for this fight. I think not having to worry about losing those extra seven pounds will be a big help. You will see it on Saturday night. I feel stronger and my stamina will be much greater [at this weight],” said the former 140-pound titlist.
Quintana, coming off a huge win over the previously undefeated Joel Julio, also feels that Cotto’s jump in weight will help. “When Cotto comes up in weight it will be good for Cotto. But when I beat him it will be because of better boxing skills, not because of weight.” Quintana spent many years in the shadow of Tito Trinidad, and more recently, Cotto himself. Considering the circumstances, one would be lead to think the fight should take place in Puerto Rico, instead of its set location, Atlantic City. Arum, however, begs to differ. The reason in which this fight is taking place in Atlantic City is simple, “If you ever go to the New York, Metropolitan area you will see that there are probably more Puerto Ricans in New York than there are in Puerto Rico. We are looking for a sellout or a near sellout on Saturday.”
This issue of Puerto Rican pride seems to be apparent in this fight, and both warriors realize it. “I know the crowd may be divided,” said Cotto, “but after they raise my hand everyone will be my fan.”
Quintana, on the other hand, feels that his “win over Julio and working so hard over the years is the reason I’m here fighting Cotto for this world championship. Every fighter has his own path, when I win on Saturday I will start my own path and begin to build my own legacy in Puerto Rico.”
Cotto feels confident about facing such high opposition in his first fight at welterweight, saying “this is what my career has been. Throughout my career I have always fought the toughest challenges. If I felt that I was not able to win then I would not do this anymore.” Cotto has had a bit of trouble in the past with southpaws such as DeMarcus Corley, before knocking him out, and will have to face another tough lefty in Quintana. However, Cotto feels that he is ready to take on the world. “Quintana did great in his last fight, whatever he needed to do he did with perfection.” said Cotto. “I’ve been sparring a lot of rounds with southpaws though to make sure there are no difficulties in the fight.” When questioned about how he would fight Quintana, Cotto modestly stated that he will “need a couple of rounds in the ring with him to figure out exactly which way to go. I am prepared for anything. If you have to box, you box. If you have to brawl, you brawl.”
On the contrary, Quintana feels that he will come out victorious. “I am undefeated, and after Saturday night I will still be undefeated!” When asked about his game plan, Quintana similarly stated that he will “have to wait and see what Cotto does. I can go punch-for-punch with anyone if I have to.”
With the co-main event being the WBO title match between Margarito and Clottey, many questions arose as to whether or not the winners would face each other to determine the second best welterweight in the world behind the general consensus world champion, Floyd Mayweather. Arum responded by claiming that “the winner of Cotto – Quintana is obligated to fight [Oktay Urkal] for their next bout.”
Boxingtalk also questioned Arum as to the long time rumored fight between Cotto and Jose Luis Castillo, who plans to move up to welterweight, and if it was still a possibility. “You better believe it!” Arum said. “Castillo and Ricky Hatton will be fighting different opponents on the same card in January. If they both win then they will face each other. If Cotto wins against Quintana on Saturday, he has a mandatory defense, which if he wins he could end up facing the winner of Hatton – Castillo.”
You won’t want to miss these two exhilarating fights. Cotto – Quintana and Margarito – Clottey will be broadcast live Saturday, December 2nd, on “Showtime Championship Boxing.”
