• The Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey bout June 13 (HBO) was intended to unify alphabet welterweight belts but won't. Although Cotto will defend his WBO version of the 147-pound title he won in February, Clottey was forced to relinquish the IBF version. Although Clottey signed his contract in time to meet the IBF's deadline to approve the unification bout, Cotto didn't meet it because he didn't sign his contract until this week. The handlers of South African mandatory challenger Isaac Hlatshwayo then pressured the IBF to force Clottey to either negotiate with them or vacate. Since the Cotto fight is way bigger than one with Hlatshwayo, Clottey sent a letter to the IBF giving up the title. "As you know, I asked for the opportunity to unify the titles with Miguel Cotto. I met all IBF deadlines; Cotto did not," Clottey wrote. He went on to write, "Despite the fact that Cotto missed his deadlines, I made mine and I ask you to reconsider and allow the unification bout to take place. I ask that I not be penalized for someone else's missed deadline. … If the IBF cannot see its way free to grant my request I must, with great sadness, relinquish my title. The financial benefits of engaging in a bout with Cotto and the prestige of defeating such a great fighter is that it is literally an offer I cannot refuse." The IBF refused to reconsider and vacated the title. Clottey beat Zab Judah in August to win the vacant belt, but never defended it. It sheds some light, but the IBF still should've reconsidered.
Cotto should've made the deadline that lazy **** but then again, the IBF should've reconsidered anyways.
The IBF should buy a f*cking clue. Hlatswayo says "MAKE HIM FIGHT ME" and they just say "okay." Nothing like making your title belt seem small scale when one of your fighters essentially gives it up for a big fight. That said, I guess Paul Williams has a clear line BACK to a WW title. Hlatswayo is easy money.
On the other hand ... why Clottley does not defend his title in the 8 months since he won it? Its somehow his fault ..he become lazy and picky. The healthy rule should be that you win the title then fight mandatory in a few months .... then do whatever you like for the whole fu....ing year. Fighters who run from his mandatories looking just for big money does not deserve to hold the belts. Its not big deal probably but if Clottley lose to Cotto he will end up figting gatekeeprs for small bucks in the next few yars.
To be fair the whole mandatory thing with the IBF has been one big snafu from the get go. Hlatswayo and Rodriguez fight to a draw in a title eliminator yet somehow Hlatswayo winds up mandatory.
Rumour has it that Williams is going to fight the winner of Dzinziruk/Kirkland for the full WBO title.
So in the last three posts: We've had Paul Williams fighting: The winner of Kirkland/Dz at 154 The winner of Cotto/Clottey at 147 Bernard Hopkins at godknows what So basically he's not really fighting anybody.
I never said Williams was going to fight the Cotto/Clottey winner, I said that's a fight he would want. I don't think Arum would let the winner fight Williams.
How would you know what Williams wants? when did you become Williams' adviser? Williams dont give a **** about you Regina.
Unfortunately I think you're right. Would be nice to see Cotto and Clottey fight Williams but that would require them to leave Arum. Last I remember Cotto is stuck with Arum for a few more fights. My point is these are all fights Williams is being rumored at/around. You're not the first dude to report this. It's like he's fighting everybody from 147 to 160.