i read in some articles today that cotto is considering moving up at 154 and challenge Yuri Foreman for his title...this fight is really really possible and doable considering that both fighters are with Top Rank. Just got me thinking, this could be a set-up by Arum for Pacs climb to the 154 division. Should cotto win and beat Yuri, a rematch with pac will putting cotto's 154 pound title on the line. In fact, winning the 154 title puts him back in pacs radar. but of course, we all want the money vs. manny fight Questions: 1) Are you inrterested in such rematch at 154 with cotto as champ; and 2) How legendary will pac become if he beats cotto at 154 and collects his 8th division belt? Cheers!
Would like to see the rematch at 154, sure. Who would miss it? But Money is first. I don't think it's any kind of "set up". It's normal for a fighter to move out of his weight division after two crushing defeats and a super-fight between two guys above him in the rankings in the offing, to boot. Plus, his struggles with weight are well documented.
To answer my questions, I will be interested to see the rematch because of the expected action between the two and not for its supposed another historical significance. With respect to the second, I think Ill still give pac credit for getting an 8th title by beating the same guy for a different championship...just feels a bit weird...well anyway, barrera got his 3rd belt from EM, a guy he previously beat at the lower weights, so I guess its cool and will be a great accomplishment still...
It would favor Cotto much more if it were a rematch but Cotto, who can easily make 154, if not more easily, is shortish for 154 and I don't see him fighting there. I'd love Cotto to be able to come back and win a title though. That'd make him a 3-time champ in three weight classes. I don't see it though.
If it DOES happen, few things to consider: - Pac struggles to maintain (keeping) weight at welter, he's really a light welter. - At 154 lbs., wouldn't they be regulated to use 10 ounce gloves? That has to be out of Pac's comfort zone. - Although Pac can possibly win, one clean punch from a strong light middleweight landing flush on Pac is a scary thought. - Pac has sparred with light middleweight / middleweight Shawn Porter.
It seems to me that Yuri Foreman is Bob Arum's light-hitting guy with a 154 lbs. belt. Apparently Bob wants to sacrifice him to one of his bigger names, i.e. Pacquiao or Cotto.
