According to the Puerto Rican daily El Vocero, WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, who is getting ready to face the IBF champion Joshua Clottey on June 13th in New York City, might face either Manny Pacquiao or Ricky Hatton in December in the same city.
Bob Arum of Top Rank and the promoter of the fight card being held on the eve of the Puerto Rican Parade received a letter in which the IBF states that Clottey of Ghana must face his mandatory challenger Isaac Hlatshwayo or reach an agreement before the 30th of April or else give up his belt.
It is certain that Clottey will vacate the title to face Cotto in his biggest payday.
It is stated that Cotto is in talks with Fox Sports to possibly broadcast fight cards from Puerto Rico under the Miguel Cotto promotions banner and if Cotto does not reenlist with Top Rank by the end of the year, Cotto stated not be surprised if you see him perform on the channel.
In other Puerto Rican boxing news, featherweight Mario Santiago after some misunderstanding with his trainer and co-manager Evangelista Cotto is ready to perform on the undercard of June 13th.
“There was perhaps a miscommunication and once we explained it to Santiago, he understood. Top Rank wants to work with Mario and they are going to resign him. They are offering him three years and he is going to fight on June 13th after being inactive for some time. They are talking about a rematch with Steven Luevano or a a IBF title fight,” Santiago’s co-manager Hector Santiago stated.
Santiago who holds a title 19-1, 14KO suffered a controversial draw against Luevano ten months ago when he challenged for the WBO strap and while Cotto has attempted to secure the rematch, no progress has been made.
“There is always people that try to take advantage of the situation but Top Rank, they want to work with Mario. When everything was put on the table for him, he has seen everything that has been done and what has been going on,” he concluded.