Unbeaten WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (31-0, 25 KOs) vowed he will be victorious on Saturday night when he takes on "The Contender's" Alfonso Gomez (18-3-2, 8 KOs) on HBO in Atlantic City. "I'm going to fight and I'm going to win on Saturday," he said.
Cotto, who is an overwhelming -1600 favorite at bet365.com, said he trains just as hard for every fight, regardless of opponent. "I never even thought of Gomez in training," he stated. "I know I need to have everything prepared for whoever I fight. I'm always training hard and I always bring my best every night into the ring."
One dynamic in Gomez' favor was the absence of Cotto's longtime trainer and uncle Evangelista Cotto at a Wednesday presser in New York City, whom the Puerto Rican press speculates Miguel is at odds with. Cotto would neither confirm nor deny whether or not there is a rift in the camp and would not comment further.
When asked about fellow unbeaten welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather's recent wrestling appearance, Cotto stated, "That's something he has done his whole career. He runs from the really good boxers and chases other things. I don't know how people in boxing support him as being first in the pound-for-pound rankings.....I'm in no hurry. If I have to be patient to face the guy the people and the press call the best fighter in the world, I can wait."
Despite being a huge underdog, Gomez, who appeared to be a couple inches taller than the champ, demonstrated lots of bravado. "I'm gonna beat Miguel Cotto," he confidently proclaimed. "On April 12 Mexico will have a new world champion. I will come out with a belt and I will win. Viva Mexico!"
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On the televised undercard, fight fans will see another welterweight world title fight with IBF champion Kermit Cintron (29-1, 27 KOs) seeking to avenge his only defeat against former WBO champ Antonio Margarito (35-5, 25 KOs). Cintron promised he'll do all his talking in the ring, while Margarito stated he's ready to "go into the ring and win." Margarito is a -350 betting favorite to defeat Cintron again.
Cotto, who is an overwhelming -1600 favorite at bet365.com, said he trains just as hard for every fight, regardless of opponent. "I never even thought of Gomez in training," he stated. "I know I need to have everything prepared for whoever I fight. I'm always training hard and I always bring my best every night into the ring."
One dynamic in Gomez' favor was the absence of Cotto's longtime trainer and uncle Evangelista Cotto at a Wednesday presser in New York City, whom the Puerto Rican press speculates Miguel is at odds with. Cotto would neither confirm nor deny whether or not there is a rift in the camp and would not comment further.
When asked about fellow unbeaten welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather's recent wrestling appearance, Cotto stated, "That's something he has done his whole career. He runs from the really good boxers and chases other things. I don't know how people in boxing support him as being first in the pound-for-pound rankings.....I'm in no hurry. If I have to be patient to face the guy the people and the press call the best fighter in the world, I can wait."
Despite being a huge underdog, Gomez, who appeared to be a couple inches taller than the champ, demonstrated lots of bravado. "I'm gonna beat Miguel Cotto," he confidently proclaimed. "On April 12 Mexico will have a new world champion. I will come out with a belt and I will win. Viva Mexico!"
* * *
On the televised undercard, fight fans will see another welterweight world title fight with IBF champion Kermit Cintron (29-1, 27 KOs) seeking to avenge his only defeat against former WBO champ Antonio Margarito (35-5, 25 KOs). Cintron promised he'll do all his talking in the ring, while Margarito stated he's ready to "go into the ring and win." Margarito is a -350 betting favorite to defeat Cintron again.
