LONDON (June 3) - Boxing superstar Miguel Cotto is ready to prove he is still a force as he aims to close in on his ‘destiny’ of becoming a four-weight world champion.
The 33-year-old hotshot is looking to become the first Puerto Rican to win world titles in four weight classes as he makes his bid for Sergio Martinez’s WBC middleweight crown this Saturday night, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
The momentous clash, taking place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, sees the mercurial Cotto move up to the 160 pound division for the first time in his career having started at light-welterweight.
Now, though, the Caguas born ace feels the time is right to face the slick Martinez and add the finishing touches to an incredible legacy which has seen him share the ring with some of boxing’s biggest names.
“Everything happens at the time it needs to happen. I do not push destiny. Boxers take different paths in their career and those roads don’t always come together,” said Cotto, on the prospect of facing Martinez earlier in his career.
“If someone would have told me that I would be fighting for a world championship at 160 pounds four years ago I would have not thought that possible. But here I am looking to make history – becoming the first Puerto Rican to win world titles in four different weight divisions.
“This is the kind of fight that always has been talked about and now is becoming a reality. I think it is a perfect timing to make it happen. We both have had our moments over our careers. I feel good and satisfied that it’s happening at this stage of my career. I feel totally renewed and with a fresh mind to come in and do my job on June 7,” said Cotto.
Cotto bounced back in impressive fashion in his last outing against Delvin Rodriguez, stopping him in the third round, having returned from two back-to-back defeats against leading names Floyd Mayweather and Austin Trout, prior to the win last October.
Long known and revered for his fan friendly style, Cotto is well aware of the anticipation and excitement building around this weekend’s historical showdown, as he looks to prove he is still very much a live wire.
“We as fighters always want to fight the best possible opponents and the best fights. We want the fans and media to be excited about the fights that we have. I now believe that this is a big fight and people want to see it, I’m not sure that was the case a few years back,” Cotto said.
“I believe that I’ve given the fans the best fights that I can. I fought some of the best fighters at 140, 147 and 154 pounds and now here I am facing the best at 160. For me boxing has always been about challenges and this is one more fight that proves that point.
“The fact that this fight is taking place now is just destiny, nothing to do with politics or avoidance it’s just the right time to do this fight and to enjoy two great fighters getting in the ring and showing who the best is.
“I am ready to make history and to prove once more that I am still one of the best fighters in the world,” said Cotto.
The hard-hitting Cotto is enjoying a period of rejuvenation under Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach who he linked up with following the defeat to Trout at the end of 2012.
With the esteemed Roach in his corner, the Puerto Rican is under no doubts that he will be victorious come fight night.
“He has a complete vision and sense about what a fighter thinks. We have both developed a great relationship based on respect for each other. He knows me very well and knows what I may think in certain moments,” said Cotto
“It has been a great experience working together with him. Ever since day one I felt very much at home with him and understood what I need to do.
“He had a big win last October in Orlando, Florida against Delvin Rodriguez, and now on Saturday in New York we will have a huge victory, that both of us will celebrate,” he said.
Tonight from 7pm BoxNation will air episode one of ‘24/7: Martinez vs. Cotto’ delving into the lives of two of boxing’s best names ahead of their June 7th megafight.
Martinez vs. Cotto is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night at 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.
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