There is an article on El Nuevo Dia, PR newspaper, that statest that Cotto's WBO belt is not on the line. Is this accurate? Last time I heard the belt was on the line. http://www.elnuevodia.com/pactto-594407.html
Because it's still a welterweight fight. DLH-Hopkins was at something like 156lbs but the MW titles were still on the line.
At the end of the day, belt or no belt its still Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto. If Pac beats Cotto, its not the belt that will make that more or less of an accomplishment, since it changes absolutely nothing in the ring. Its all for talk. People will argue about wether or not Pacqiuao is a 7 weight champion... but thats not what makes Pac a better or worse fighter.
I at catch weights, there is enough divisions nowadays to accompany everybody! Still this is a great match whether or not the WBO belt is on the line. Seems a bit odd that the WBO would wanna miss out on the type of sanctioning fee that a Cotto - Pac fight will bring!
Cotto's belt should be on the line and I'm pretty sure Manny will pay the fee to make sure it's on the line. I don't think it makes a difference since Cotto will end up keeping his belt regardless.
There's alot of examples Scar. Hopkins/Oscar, Whitaker/Chavez, and more... Terry Norris and Meldrick Taylor fought for the WBC LMW title at 151.5lbs
The victory would just be that much sweeter to have Pac announced the WW champ. If Pac needs to fight Cotto at 147 for that, he should. Cotto weighed in 146 last fight, dont think gaining 1extra lbs is gonna help Pac anyways.
Anyone know exactly what Cotto got in return for putting his belt on the line? Or was this just an assumed part of Manny being willing to make the fight? Since the fight isn't going to be at 147, there is no reason the belt should be up for grabs.