Source : ABS CBN News SportsMANILA, Philippines – Puerto Rican boxing star Miguel Cotto will not fight Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao if the bout is held at 147-pounds.
In an interview with Boxing Scene, Cotto made it clear that he "will not sacrifice my body again" to fight the Filipino boxer.
Pacquiao defeated Cotto in their first meeting in 2009, in a match that was held at a 145-pound catchweight. Although Cotto gave Pacquiao all he could handle in the first four rounds, he was soon overwhelmed by the Filipino boxer.
The fight was stopped in the 12th round and Pacquiao was awarded a technical knockout victory.
Cotto has since moved up in weight to the junior middleweight division, where he now holds the World Boxing Association championship. He said if Pacquiao wants a rematch, it will be done at a weight that he is comfortable in.
"He had no problems dealing with Antonio Margarito at 150. He hasn't had problems with anyone regarding weight," Cotto said of Pacquiao.
"With Joshua Clottey, they fought at 147. I drove down to 145. The rematch, I'm going to do it at my weight. I will not sacrifice my body again for the benefit of another boxer," he added.
"It won't happen at 147-pounds."
Pacquiao has not fought at above 147-pounds since his bout against Margarito, a unanimous decision win.
Cotto and his team are still negotiation with Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, and hope to come to an agreement within the next two weeks.
"We are waiting for the offer to come and dedicate ourselves to train and win. In the next two weeks, we hope to have a response on the whole thing," Cotto said.
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