Pacquiao prefers 143 lbs vs Cotto

Before flying to Los Angeles for a one-day photo shoot with Kobe Bryant for a leading sports apparel company, Manny Pacquiao revealed that he will bat for a catch weight of 142-143 lbs for the proposed November 14 match with welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

While admitting that negotiations are running smoothly, Pacquiao said the two parties have yet to agree on the revenue split and the catch weight although the Puerto Rican press has reported that it'll be at 145 lbs.

Cotto currently fights in a weight class that has a limit of 147 lbs, while Pacquiao says he can only add a few pounds north of the super-lightweight limit of 140 lbs.

Against Oscar De La Hoya last December when the limit was 147 lbs, Pacquiao tipped in at 142, and in his last fight against Ricky Hatton at 140, the Filipino scaled in at 138.

“(The fight is) eighty percent (done),” said Pacquiao on Tuesday night as he prepared to board a Philippine Airlines jet.

Cotto once said he can not go lower than 145 lbs but some fine-tuning in the contract might compel the shaven-skulled banger to give in to Pacquiao's call considering that Pacquiao is the main attraction.

While in the US, where he will shoot a Nike ad with Kobe, Pacquiao might take a peek into some documents containing pertinent details about the proposed Cotto fight.

It could take a few more days or even a couple of weeks before a deal is made between Pacquiao and Cotto since Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who heads Top Rank, is still enjoying his European vacation.

Still, everything appears to be in place with Arum already lining up a five-city promotional tour just before Pacquiao reports for training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club in mid-September.

Arum said plans are afoot for visits to San Juan in Puerto Rico, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and even Mexico City “where the people there love Manny and Cotto,” according to Arum.


Source: mb.com.ph