The 33 year-old has long been linked to a move up to middleweight to challenge for a fourth weight world title, but sees the Argentinian as the ideal opportunity given the fact that Martinez is not huge at the weight.
Upon negotiating the fight, it was first though that Cotto stipulated that ‘Maravilla’ come down that solitary pound, although ‘Junito’ revealed that the agreement was first mentioned by Martinez’s manager Sampson Lewkowicz.
That (weight issue) came from Sampson,” said Cotto. “The first thing we said when we sat at the table was that Sergio can’t run like he did, any more, and he wants to make his weight.
“He is not going to be able to do less than 159-pounds – that came from them, not from us.
“I am going to go in the ring at the weight that is most comfortable for me. It doesn’t necessarily have to be 159. I am going to be comfortable, I am going to be happy and I am going to do my best.”
On training without the need to lose weight, Cotto explained that he can feel the strength remaining in his body, rather than being drained out by forcibly shedding the poundage.
“I do feel it. I feel I can hit harder while not losing ring movement,” he stated. “I feel that I can do the pounds that I need to do. Freddie [Roach] and Gavin [MacMillan] have given me the opportunity work well with the weight – I don’t see that as an issue at all – I have put that out of my mind. I just work hard and get my work done.
“I feel at middleweight, I don’t need to lose the weight and It’s not about gaining the weight, it is about no having to lose the weight, coming down and trying to cut weight.
“It is important to stay fit and do the things that I need to do and I think that my body recuperates better during training camp because I don’t have to lose the weight.
“When you are a guy with power, no matter where you are going you are going to carry that power with you. I’m here doing my best in the training camp and I know what I am capable of doing when I get in the ring on June 7.
“I feel great. I am 33-years-old and you are not going to get a lot more muscle into me. I think it is about keeping what I have – not reducing it – and keeping myself strong.
“Freddie has given us a plan, a strategy to follow and that’s what I have been working on in camp. I follow all the orders. Everything he needs from me I follow. All of my faith is with him. I do my best every time I go into training camp and this is no different,” added Cotto.
Promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions, Top Rank®, DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing, in association with Maravilla Box, PS4, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, the Cotto – Martínez World Middleweight Championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
Remaining tickets to the Cotto vs. Martínez world middleweight championship event, priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online atwww.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.
