Puerto Rico's Cotto puts WBA welterweight title on line
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| Published on Friday, June 8, 2007 |
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NEW YORK, USA (AFP): Hard-punching Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto puts his World Boxing Association welterweight title on the line against former champ Zab Judah on Saturday at famed fight venue Madison Square Garden.
Cotto, unbeaten in 29 professional fights and with 24 wins inside the distance, has emerged as a phenomenal 147-pound fighter despite fears he was too small to be effective at welterweight.
Having made six successful defenses of the lightly regarded World Boxing Organization light-welterweight title, Cotto moved up to dispatch the previous undefeated Carlos Quintana in five rounds in December.
In March, he dispatched Turkey's Oktay Urkal with an 11th-round technical knockout in San Juan.
"I've always dreamed of being one of the greatest champions from Puerto Rico, like Wilfred Benitez and Felix Trinidad" Cotto says. "I am on my way."
In Judah, however, he could face his most difficult challenge to date. The former undisputed world champion, who boasts a record of 34-4 with 25 wins inside the distance, is looking for an impressive victory after failing to win any of his last three fights.
He lost on points to Floyd Mayweather and Carlos Baldomir, and a bout against journeyman Ruben Galvan ended a one-round no-contest due to cuts.
"Cotto has never faced anyone with my fast hands or my pretty face," Judah warned.
"I have had the best training camp I have ever had in my life and I am going to destroy Zab Judah," Cotto said. "Judah talks too much. He may be a great fighter but he is not the best fighter and I will teach him that difference when we meet in the ring. I promise I will be more focused and show all my power."
The bout on the eve of New York's National Puerto Rican Day parade will see the Garden's mezzanine level opened for the first time for a fight since 2001.
Promoter Bob Arum and Garden officials made the decision after the initial 16,000 available tickets threatened to sell out quickly.
"Miguel Cotto has developed a tremendous following because he is a no-nonsense fighter," said Arum. "For those who have been around as long as I have, Madison Square Garden is the capital of boxing. The legendary fights that have been fought here and in its predecessor, are embedded in the history of our country and of sports."
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