Three division world champion Miguel Cotto talks about his March 12th showdown with Ricardo Mayorga

Legendary Promoter Don King discusses Cotto – Mayorga as well as Alexander – Bradley

Former two-divison world champion Ricardo Mayorga discusses his March 12 showdown with Miguel Cotto

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a proposed early 2011 fight between world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez and three division world champion wont happen due to a big discrepancy over money between promoters Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment.

Lou DiBella, Martinez’s promoter, told ESPN.com that Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Cotto’s promoter, insisted on buying out the Martinez side instead of splitting the revenue on a percentage basis from what would have been a pay-per-view fight in March. DiBella did not say what percentage split he had in mind, but said it would have heavily favored Cotto, the proven PPV performer.

“The Martinez-Cotto discussions are dead because Bob doesn’t want to do any kind of co-promotion no matter what the split,” DiBella said.

DiBella said Arum offered him $2.5 million against an upside of the potential pay-per-view profits. DiBella declined and said he countered by offering to buy out Arum for $5 million against an upside of pay-per-view profits.

“Bob said no, so pretty much that’s the end of the discussion. There’s nothing more to discuss,” DiBella said.

Arum, who turns 79 on Wednesday, would not go in the details of their discussions but told ESPN.com, “We couldn’t come to terms. I talked to the Cotto people. They wanted particular terms and Lou wasn’t agreeable. Lou wanted to do a percentage deal and Cotto didn’t want to do a percentage deal. Cotto wanted to do a big number for Martinez plus an upside of the pay-per-view. I do whatever my fighters want. If Cotto wanted to fight Martinez on any particular grounds, as long as I could make some dough, of course, I would do it, not even a question.

“But I’m not going to tell you what did happen because those things are supposed to be confidential. Lou called and we couldn’t make a deal. Period.”

“I am not a paid booking agent. I am a promoter,” DiBella said. “Sergio Martinez is not an opponent. He’s a champion and right now one of the hottest fighters in boxing. Bob is entitled to take whatever kind of business positions he wants and I am entitled to say no. I went back to [Martinez adviser] Sampson [Lewkowicz] and the fighter and they not only supported my position but insisted on it.”

“He’ll fight Margarito,” Arum said of Cotto. “Margarito is going to get a physical to determine when he can fight. The earlier we can do it, the better.”

“Cotto-Margarito, at the end of the day, that’s the fight that everybody wants because that fight would do the most money,” Arum said. “The first fight did about 500,000 homes [on pay-per-view] and there’s no reason why [a rematch] shouldn’t do the same.”

Cotto has previously said he did not want to fight Margarito again because of his feelings that he cheated in their first fight. However, Arum said Cotto would do the fight.

“I know so that he is willing to fight Margarito again,” Arum said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman had successful surgery on his right knee. He injured the knee last Saturday night when he dropped a ninth round stoppage to Miguel Cotto in Yankee Stadium.

“It was a success. Yuri was released and starts rehabilitation on Monday,” said Dr. Laith Jazrawi in a statement. “If all goes well, he should be fine in six months. This was from a chronic injury and we didn’t find anything unusual. There were no surprises and nothing we couldn’t repair.”

“I’m pleased the surgery went well,” Foreman said in a statement. “Being on crutches is not the fun part. I thank my fans for their outpouring of good wishes.”

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

As Cotto returns to former glory, his fans return to full pitch at Yankee Stadium.

It was a great site to behold; thousands of fans at legendary Yankee Stadium waiting to see the once bright up-and-comer, Miguel Cotto return to glory after suffering severe losses at the (loaded) hands of Antonio Margarito and the seemingly invincible Manny Pacquiao.

People had considered Cotto down for the count after those monumental losses and the injuries endured even during his winning fight against Joshua Clottey, but Cotto came to the ring with something to prove, and he knew he had to deliver. Perhaps it was the new trainer in Emanuel Steward or perhaps it was the shiny WBA Light Middleweight title belt on the line, but whatever it was, it worked. Cotto, fighting most recently at Welterweight, seemed a natural Light Middleweight, bossing Yuri Foreman around the ring for the duration of the fight. Foreman, a game yet arguably untested world title holder did little to stave off the aggressive and powerful Cotto. Emanuel Steward’s training was evident right off the bat as Cotto’s footwork and movement seemed vastly improved since his last fight against Pacquiao, (though Pacquiao can make anyone look like they’re dancing in cement.)

It is clear that Cotto has come to fight as soon as the bell rings. Aggressively sticking his jab, Cotto turtles up only for a moment during the 1st round. The 2nd round sees more of Cotto’s jab and also a more aggressive Foreman, working his jab as well. Cotto lands more punches, working Foreman’s body with his left hook and takes the round. The 3rd round is more about the body and hooks from both fighters. Strangely enough, Foreman’s mouthpiece falls out and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. demands Cotto’s corner to clean it off while adamantly telling trainer, Emanuel Steward not to speak to the fighter.

The 4th round sees the best exchanges of the fight, with both fighters landing stiff jabs and powerful exchanges. Cotto’s defense also seems to have improved under Steward’s tutelage and it’s a toss-up as to who wins the round. Foreman seems to weaken in the 5th and 6th rounds, though there are some good hooks landed by both fighters.

A slip in the 7th round has Foreman limping and Cotto rushing in to finish the job, but Foreman’s heart wins out the round. Foreman falls and limps his way through the first half of the 8th round until a towel comes flying into the ring from his corner. Cotto’s corner comes rushing in and starts celebrating their victory until referee Mercante announces that the fight isn’t over and everybody needs to clear the ring. Apparently, Foreman’s corner denies throwing the towel in, although it was clearly a corner towel, and so the fight goes back on. Mercante gets respect for taking control of the situation and clearing the ring so quickly, even though the fight should have been ended at that point.

Slightly confused, both fighters regain composure and continue fighting until it becomes blatantly obvious to referee Mercante that Foreman isn’t in any shape to keep fighting, so the fight is stopped for real this time.

Miguel Cotto wins the WBA Light Middleweight Title and wins his fans the world over…again. Foreman gains new fans by showing incredible heart in the ring and can hold his head high. Where will each fighter go from here? Can’t wait to find out.

Congratulations on an awesome victory Cotto!!!

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman suffered a torn ACL in the seventh round of title loss to Miguel Cotto this Saturday night at Yankee Stadium in New York this past Saturday night.

“They’re going to rebuild Yuri’s ACL and take out the cartilage, basically give him a brand new knee,” said MurrayWilson, who is Foreman’s manager.

“We’ve been getting messages and e-mails from people from all around the world who were impressed with Yuri’s heart,” Wilson said. “I’m very proud of Yuri with the way he fought. I think he’ll come back better than ever.”

“He (The Doctor) told Yuri, ‘In six months, you’ll be able to sit down on your punches and your knee will be stronger than it ever was.’ He’ll have more power because he’ll be able to sit down on his punches better and have more leverage,” Wilson said. “The doctor said, ‘In six months, you’ll be ready to rumble.’ In four months, he should be able to walk around without a problem and exercise, but it’s probably six months to fully recover. We’re talking about maybe a fight in February.

Marc Abrams Live! Foreman/Cotto and weekend Fight recaps and upcoming fight previews! 15rounds.com’s Johnny Schulz presents: Talking BOXING with JSizzle and New York Dan NYD. And joined by Billy from Philly – A weekly Sunday boxing show covering Boxing from all angles.

Former WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman talks about his disappointing loss to Miguel Cotto

Watch Yuri Foreman post fight press conference in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Now three-time champion, Miguel Cotto talks about his win over Yuri Foreman plus answers questions about future opponents

Watch Miguel Cotto Post fight press conference in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Yuri Foreman 154 – Miguel Cotto 153.5
Joe Greene 151.5 – Vanes Martirosyan 153 1/4

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was at Yankee Stadium as WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman and former two-division world champion Miguel Cotto met the media just three days before thir historic battle at Yankee Stadium. Also see photos featuring the televised co-feature between undefeated Jr. Middleweights Vanes Martirosyan and Joe Greene

Joined by new trainer Emanuel Steward, former two-division champion Miguel Cotto works out for the media at Trinity Boxing Club in New York City just four days before his big showdown with WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman in Yankee Stadium–Photos by Claudia Bocanegra

WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman works out for the media at the Trinity Boxing Club in New York City in anticipation of his big showdown with Miguel Cotto this Saturday night in Yankee Stadium–Photos by Claudia Bocanegra

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was on hand at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York to capture WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman workout in advance of his big title defense against Miguel Cotto on June 5th at Yankee Stadium

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was in Yankee Stadium on Friday to take the up-close pictures of WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Formean and former two-divison champion Miguel Cotto as they met the media in reference to their June 5th showdown in the Stadium

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Provided that a bar mitzvah doesn’t prohibit it from occurring, WBA super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman is expected to defend his crown against former WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto on June 5 at Yankee Stadium.

“The Yankees want to make a deal, we know we can make a deal, they’re just working through a problem at Yankee Stadium,” promoter Bob Arum told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

“But you wouldn’t believe it if I told you. They’ve leased out some lounges for this bar mitzvah and part of the deal was for a half hour or so, they could use the big screen in center field to show pictures and all that sort of stuff. Obviously you can’t do that if there’s a fight going on.”

Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs) last fought on Nov. 14 when he relinquished his belt to Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) by a brutal 12th round TKO.

On the undercard of the Pacquiao versus Cotto bout, Foreman (28-0, 8 KOs), who is ironically an aspiring rabbi, defeated Daniel Santos (32-4-1-1, 23 KOs) by unanimous decision to become Israel’s first ever world boxing champion.

Foreman, 29, the winner of the New York Golden Gloves in 2001, was considered as a potential opponent for Pacquiao after the WBO champion’s proposed matchup with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (40-0, 25 KOs) deteriorated earlier this month.

However, Pacquiao rejected the offer mainly because Foreman, at five feet and eleven inches, is quite tall for a welterweight. As evidenced by his paltry knockout percentage, Foreman does not possess tremendous power in either of his fists.

Still, Foreman is a tactician in the ring and his height has posed problems for his opponents in the past.

“Foreman is a solid boxer,” said Brad Sherwood, a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym in Medford, Massachusetts. “He is way taller than Cotto and Cotto has been through so many wars that he is old for a 29-year-old. But, I still think Cotto will win though because he is such a powerful warrior. I would take Cotto by a stoppage in the later rounds.”

Foreman was born in Gomel, Belarus.

At age nine, Foreman immigrated with his family to Israel and it was in the Holy Land where he began to box at a local Arab gym.

“The first time I walked in, I saw the stares. In their eyes, there was a lot of hatred,” said Foreman. “But, I needed to box; and boy, did they all want to box me.”

Particularly because of the pounding he received at the hands of Pacquiao, Cotto is going to “want to box” and bludgeon Foreman as well.

Foreman’s vast size advantage and relatively cautious style will keep him competitive in the fight.

Nevertheless, expect Cotto to ultimately brawl his way to a decisive knockout victory over Foreman whenever the two finally meet in the Bronx.

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank