By Miguel Cotto Today I am very happy to announce that my trainer for my December 3rd fight [against Antonio Margarito] in New York will be legendary Cuban boxing trainer and expert Pedro Luis Díaz Benítez. Pedro Luis is a Doctor in Pedagogical Sciences. He holds a Master's degree in sports training and a Major in Physical Culture and Sports. He is also specialized in boxing training's planning and control. He was a professor and investigator for the University of Sports in Cuba. He has also worked with and trained several Olympic Gold Medalists and professional world champions. I met Pedro Luis as an amateur several years ago and had the opportunity to share time with him in several international competitions. I was instantly amazed as to the vast boxing's technique and conditioning knowledge that he transmitted to his fighters. I feel that together with Phil, Pedro Luis is a perfect fit to bring my best potential for my next fight in December and lead me to victory! I want to take this opportunity to express my wholehearted gratitude to Emanuel Steward, who I consider a friend and mentor. Because of calendar conflicts and other matters, we were unable to work together for this next fight. He is one of the best trainers I have ever met in boxing, and I will be forever appreciative for the two fights we worked together. We have both kept the doors open to maybe join forces in the future if the circumstances and timing are adequate. Now I will focus on my training camp! I feel happy and thrilled as ever to commenced preparing for December. I will be ready and will win the fight for all of you.
i feel a little better now , here is some info on diaz http://www.groupeyvonmichel.ca/ANG/bio_diaz.html
If Steward is your trainer you fight under Steward. Maybe Cotto got tired of fighting under someone else and wants to fight and not have his trainer take the credit. We all hear stories that Steward is never actually around and doesnt spend much time actually training his fighters but is always on TV and always in the ring. Steward is a celebrity trainer who takes fighters who are already winning.
I think Cotto has known for some time that Steward was not going to be able to train him and just wanted people to know at this point. Think about it? He WOULD have had to been training Chad Dawson for the fight w/ Hopkins this month too. You never heard Steward tell Chad "No, can't train you, I have to train Cotto". He NEVER said that. If Chad didn't dump him for Scully, he probably would be with Dawson right now. Cotto's camp has already started, how the **** would he be able to train him? He was with Andy Lee for crying out loud on Saturday. He wasn't even at any of the press conferences for Cotto's fight! Wlad has a fight in December too! Steward would have been all over the freaking place!
At the end of the day it will only be Cotto and La Margarita in the ring. Cotto previously stated that he has acknowledged the errors he committed against Margarita and corrected them. I'm sure he will be in prime condition and will starch that cheating *******'s ass!!!
Sounds to me like Cotto at this point is'nt happy with his last performance vs a shot Mayorga who gave him some trouble. Its never a good sign when a fighter feels the need to change trainers right before the fight of your life. A revenge fight that can shape Cotto's legacy, he's going with a new trainer.:? Goes to show Cotto's mindset and confidence at the moment as far as his possibilities of beating Margarito.
many fighters have said that Steward is a great trainer, but doesnt give certain fighters enough attention because he has so many. I know Id rather work with a lesser trainer that could give me 100% if the chemistry is there.