All three judges at ringside gave Pacquiao the edge, including one judge giving him every round 120-108.  The scorecard here at ringside gave Margaritio one round. “It’s hard I really did my best to win the fight. He was strong and a very tough fighter,” commented Pacquiao. “I can’t believe that he was as strong as he was.”

Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KO’s) won his 12^th straight fight and admitted that Margarito, (38-7, 27KO’s) was strong enough to hurt him when he was in the ropes in the middle rounds. He motioned to referee Laurence Cole several times in the 11^th round to stop the fight as Margaritio’s face was battered and a bloody mess.

“There was no way I was going to quit,” commented three-time champion Margarito after the fight. “I’m a Mexican. We fight until the end,” he said.

It was the second straight win for Pacquiao at Cowboys Stadium before a crowd of 41,734, many Margarito supporters.  Earlier this year, in March, he easily handled Joshua Clottey taking a 12-round unanimous decision, a seventh title and the welterweight championship.

As for a potential showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. at 154, a fight that has been anticipated and talked about, again Pacquiao left that answer to his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank. As for continuing his career, Mayweather or not, Pacquiao would not rule it out of the question.

The popular Congressman of the Philippines said, “I have another job after this. I’m going back to the Philippines to do my job as a public servant.”

“He was really fast and I was going- good until I got cut,” said Margarito.  His trainer Robert Garrcia also said he never considered stopping the fight and it would continue until the end. Garcia also saw first hand as to why Pacquiao is indeed the best pound-for-pound fighter.

Said Garcia “Manny is the best fighter in the world.  He is just too fast, Very, very quick.”

By the 10th round it became a boxing clinic for Pacquiao who continued to throw the right hook and pound the face of Margarito.  In between rounds it became obvious that Margarito was fighting for redemption, proving that his year suspension from the ring from using illegal hand wraps was all in the books.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Add another bizarre situation to the boxing annals. Saturday evening at Yankee Stadium, when Miguel Cotto and Yori Foreman were in the ring it was a towel thrown from the corner of Foreman that became a subject of speculation. Who threw in the towel, and why did referee Arthur Mercante Jr, resume the fight when all of the confusion started in the seventh and crazy eighth round.

It was the return of boxing at Yankee Stadium, the first time since 1976 when Muhammad Ali defeated Ken Norton.  The stadium was electric, 20,272 fans screaming more for Cotto in the bleacher seats and most of the lower and upper right field areas.

Cotto (35-2, 28KO’s) would defeat Foreman by TKO at 42 seconds of round nine. More on that later, as the towel and an injury to Foreman were significant factors that made the historic return of boxing to Yankee Stadium more interesting than the final outcome.

Cotto, the pride of Puerto Rico becomes a four-time champion in three divisions taking the WBA super welterweight title from Foreman.  For the moment questions about where Cotto goes from here, either stay at 154 or back to 147, are to be determined.

There is no question though about the revival of Cotto who would have had minimal options with a defeat. After a mediocre and controversial decision that went his way against Joshua Clottey at Madison Square Garden last year, and a brutal defeat to welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao later on, Cotto needed to look dominant and get the win over Foreman.

And for most of the fight Cotto was doing his job. He did not look impressive but good enough to be considered a viable champion at his new weight.  There were times in the fight when Cotto threw the jab with authority, very defensive and using the foot work to his advantage as a way to stay with the bigger Foreman  But a slip by Foreman mid way of round seven, possibly caused by a wet spot on the ring apron, hindered the champion.  Foreman re-injured a right knee, wrapped with a brace, from the fall, a previous injury that was never revealed prior to the fight.

He wobbled back to his corner and there was concern. Then the bizarre events mid way of the eighth round began, which had every one talking. It was no more about the historic event of boxing returning to the new Yankee Stadium but how the towel and referee got caught in the middle.

Foreman started the eighth round obviously hurt and hobbling. The towel is thrown in the ring. The assumption from those at ringside, and in the crowd is, the fight is over. Yes, all these years covering boxing and the assumed rule is when the corner throws in the towel, the fight is over.  Both fighters assumed it was over, so did everyone in the stadium.

Fans immediately made their displeasure known and the two fighters embrace, as they assume the fight is over. The ring is occupied now with HBO Sports personnel, people from the respective fight camps and personnel from the New York State Athletic Commission. Where do we go from here? That was the question at ringside.

Joe Grier, trainer of Foreman threw in the towel and apparently promoter Bob Arum, in a tirade, also wondered and asked that the fight continue something, if true goes against boxing bylaws. Grier denies the account and later retracts what was seen on the big screen at Yankee Stadium. Ring announcer Michael Buffer explains the fight will continue. Mercante said “The towel came in the heat of the battle. They had a good exchange going. I felt it was necessary to stop it.”

He added about the towel, “I didn’t know where it came from. There was no need to stop the fight. They were in the middle of a great fight. That’s what the fans came to see. I felt I did the right thing to let it continue.”  When the towel is thrown a fight is stopped, though the rule in New York leaves that discretion to the referee who can determine if a fighter can’t continue.

“I called time, they had an extra minute to rest,” said Mercante son of Arthur Sr. who recently passed away and was the third man in the ring when Ali fought Norton at the old stadium. “I went over to Yuri and told him to suck it up. He showed the true heart of a champion.”

Though the referee has become an important person to determine the safety of a fighter, a decision to continue or not has always been left to the discretion of a ringside physician. This made the unusual events even more confusing and opens more questions.

It seemed Cotto was perplexed. And though he was leading on all three judges scorecards this writer had Cotto ahead by one round at the time of the official stoppage. Foreman, though injured seemed to have an incentive to continue and seemed to be getting at Cotto. Those responsible for keeping the corner areas dry in between rounds should be at fault for not making this fight continue.

“I have to still fight, I can’t stop,” said Cotto. “It’s a fight,’ he said. “The fight has to continue. When the eighth round finished I saw on the screen his trainer threw the towel in the ring,” said Cotto referring to the replay being shown on the big Yankee Stadium video screen in center field. “I still followed instructions The referee said someone outside the ring threw in the towel.”

Foreman (28-1, 8KO’s) to his credit was not a sore loser. Like Cotto he was just as perplexed at the developments, in his heart wanting to continue, until Cotto went to work and used a left hook to the body that put an end to the fight in the ninth round.

“At first I felt rusty and didn’t want to get into the rhythm, but later I felt better until the accident,” explained Foreman. “Cotto is a great fighter. It just gave out,” he said about the knee. “It was a lot of pain, very sharp pain. But Arthur Mercante let me go. I just couldn’t do a lot of movement.”

More justification, had the injury not happened, had someone did the rightful job of wiping the ring, perhaps Foreman would still be champion. Cotto may have had been telling a different story, “I’m world champion, now former world champion,” commented Foreman. But we’re just not quitting. We’re world champion, I fight. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted to continue.”

To his credit Cotto followed his plan and trained effectively with new trainer Emanuel Steward. “I think we make the plan of working with the jab of putting pressure on him, and it worked,” said Cotto. “Just follow the instruction sand stay focused,” referring to what new trainer Emanuel Steward continually told him.

Regardless of the outcome it was a Cotto type of fight. He is back   Foreman has every right for a return bout. But we will leave that up to Arum who has other major plans at the moment trying to get his welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in the ring with challenger Floyd Mayweather Jr. Arum would like to do another fight at the stadium, but it won’t be Pacquiao and Mayweather.

“Taxes are too high,” he said with Las Vegas appearing to be the venue And with no major superstar in the sport that could draw an interest, the only hope is Cotto continues his career and makes a return to the Bronx again next June.

A bizarre night as Yankee Stadium was christened once again with championship boxing. Now there needs to be more explaining about a wet spot in a corner of the ring, and like it always is in boxing a further explanation as to how a towel throwing incident in the ring determines when a fight should be stopped.

UNDERCARD RESULT: Christian Martinez of the Bronx opened the historic evening of boxing at the new Yankee Stadium defeating Jonathan Cuba (2-2,, 2KO’s) by decision in their four round super lightweight bout.

Cuba sustained a nasty cut above his left eye and was knocked down twice in the fourth and final round.  Martinez (4-0) used a barrage of punches before referee Sparkle Lee put an end to the fight at 1:18.

Email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Nevertheless, Clottey has bypassed the questions as to why he has become the second fiddle. He almost defeated Miguel Cotto last year for the WBO welterweight title, now held by Pacquiao at Madison Square Garden.  And Clottey realizes to defeat Pacquiao more punches will have to be thrown.

“You know I am not a flyweight, not a bantamweight,” says Clottey (35-3, 20KO’s) a native of Ghana now residing in the Bronx “I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect.  I can throw punches which connect and land and cause damage.”

That fight with Cotto, last June at Madison Square Garden in New York almost went to Clottey. Another punch here or there and Cotto would have been dethroned. That’s how close the fight was. “I can throw punches which connect and land and cause damage,” says Clottey.  “If you look at the last fight, I won the last round. He (Cotto) threw punches and I blocked them and threw punches and they connected. I will throw punches that cause damage,”

And if Clottey stands any chance against the powerful Pacquiao, (50-3, 38KO’s) from the Philippines, he will have to punch and also throw his jabs with authority. Pacquiao is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the business and after defeating Cotto achieved boxing history as the first time seven division champion.

“My training is going to show when I get in the ring, but with Manny Pacquiao you don’t have to miss with him,” commented Clottey last week. “When he is throwing you have to let him do it.  A victory would mean very ,very more than a lot to me. That’s why I am so happy about this opportunity,”

There is constant suspicion that Pacquiao may be taking steroids, a question that has been raised now because Pacquiao refused Olympic style drug testing that caused his fight with Mayweather  to be called off/ Mayweather wanted that blood sample testing of  three random times as a stipulation and the Pacquiao camp did everything they could do to prevent it,

As a result Clottey got his big opportunity, this time at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium that could see a crowd in excess of 40,000. On the steroid issue hovering around Pacquiao, Cottey said, “I don’t want him to do that because I respect him too much. I don’t think Manny Pacquiao is doing that thing.”

“If he is doing that thing he is killing the sport. I believe in him. I know he throws a lot of punches. He is the man now and he is the best fighter out there.  When I walk in the ring I know what I will have to do to win the fight.”

Cottey was never thinking about this fight. He wanted another shot at Cotto. But the chance came, and his career has always been about defeating any fighter that would give him an opportunity. Pacquiao this Saturday night offers that opportunity and a win for Clottey could turn the division upside down.

One other factor to consider as Clottey fights for his fourth world title. His trainer, Kwame Asante was not granted a visa form Ghana. Clottey has been tutored by the veteran Lenny DeJesus of the Bronx, a valuable cut man as well who at one time worked the corner with Pacquiao’s main and acclaimed trainer Freddy Roach.

“:Lenny has over 40 years in the business and I feel very confident and comfortable with him,” says Clottey.  DeJesus has also been in the corner of Clottey as a cut man. “He was pushing me a lot,” says Clottey, “and he knows what he is doing.”

What the boxing world will find out Saturday evening is how much the Cotto fight taught Clottey. He wins and for sure he is not looked as a second fiddle when it comes to the mega fight.

GOLDEN GLOVES CONTINUE WITH DISAPPOINTING OUTCOMES:  Bronx based Victor Pena was a busy trainer the past few days preparing three of his fighters for a chance to advance in the 40^th annual Daily News New York City Golden Gloves Tournament. Pena has guided 42 champions to the illustrious gold over the years.

The 49^th annual tournament, most prestigious amateur one in the country, that has led many more to pro boxing championship fame continued last week in the New York City area. Pena packed his bags and met his kids at his temporary quarters, John’s Gym in the South Bronx.  His kids have been training there because their home gym, Morris Park was gutted by a fire in December,

Pena on three separate evenings got his fighters in his van, along with some supporters as they took the journey to Glen Cove Long Island, Flushing Queens and near the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn. Golden Gloves venues are picked months in advance by Daily News Community Relations Director Brian Adams a Golden Gloves champion in the 1990’s who had a brief pro career as a welterweight.

“We prefer to do the shows at community centers and churches,” says Adams at ringside last week when the quarterfinals continued at the Electrical industrial Center in Flushing   “It’s a win situation for all,” he says as the directors of the venues split profits with tournament organizers.

As so often happens, Pena and other trainers will arrive at venues and their fighters will discover that the preparation has to wait for another day. Either one or two participants is, a no- show, or there is a medical or weight issue and the result is a bye into the next round.

Pena’s fighters get to Glen Cove and find out that their bouts in the 114 pound weight class are not until Saturday evening in Brooklyn. “Someone made a mistake, somewhere,” comments Pena.   So it is on to Friday in Flushing/

You arrive at the venue. Fighters are cramped in a back room and called one-by-one for their physicals. This time Pena’s fighter, Frank Garriga is first on the bout sheet and ready to try and advance to the semifinals in the 123-pound open class. He, like many others has no idea what his opponent will do. It is hard to study an opponent in this tournament, not like the pro game where fight tapes are available.

Garriga had a tough time with Marcus Suarez and failed to get his second pair of gloves. He won the 119-pound novice final at Madison Square Garden two years ago. “You did not do your running and lost your stamina,” said Pena to his fighter when it was all over.  “I want to turn pro,” said Garriga who felt he won the fight.

Pena quickly dispelled any thoughts to his fighter about turning professional. At the age of 21, Garriga still has plenty to learn. But like most fighters who fail to get a decision in this tournament, the feeling is they got robbed by inept judges. “No you win when you throw more punches,” says Pena.

Pena’s two other fighters, Chayanne Rivera and Jeffrey Archie also fell short in the quarterfinals on Saturday night. Rivera, of the south Bronx lost his first amateur fight getting stopped after the second round. The anticipation that was there Thursday waited another day and was quickly over.

You here the same response from Rivera, that was heard from Garriga the night before.  “I want to turn pro.” And they same response from Pena, “You are not ready,” as this trainer has concern for his fighters.   “It’s back to the drawing board,” said Pena to his fighters after Archie lost a tough decision to conclude a losing thee days.

The good thing is these are kids. The earning process to only get better, and as Archie said, after failing in his second attempt to get to the finals, “I won’t quit this tournament until I get those gloves.” Yes the Golden Gloves are so important to these young pugilists looking for prominence.  The finals are at the Madison Square Garden WaMu Theatre March 25^th and 26^th.

COTTO FIGHT HEADED TO YANKEE STADIUM:  It is not official but should be in the next few days Miguel Cotto, the former welterweight champion who lost to Pacquiao late last year will return to New York and have his next fight at Yankee Stadium Saturday June 5^th opposing Yuri Foreman in a fight that would be televised on HBO Sports.

“It’s almost certain to be a date,” said a source at Top Rank, promoter of Cotto.  The particulars as to seating and where the ring would be placed are the remaining elements that have kept the official announcement from being made.

Foreman and Cotto does not have the magnitude as a Cotto-Mayweather or Cotto-Shane Mosley bout would, however the Yankees organization is intent on returning boxing back to their palace in the Bronx, and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is a close friend of Yankees CEO Lonn Trost.

Foreman holds one of those alphabet soup belts in boxing and has a tremendous following in the New York Jewish community.  So the fight will generate some interest in the Bronx especially with the popularity Cotto has in the Puerto Rican community.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Log on to: www.keepitinthering,net

The fight will take place on March 13th on HBO PPV and will take place at Cowboys stadium in Dallas, Texas. This fight marks the biggest world championship fight to be held in a major U.S. sports stadium since the Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton World Heavyweight championship fight in Yankee stadium in 1976.

The March 13th date was originally set for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather but negotiations broke off. The stumbling block of a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao mega fight was the scheduling of blood testing. Mayweather said he believes Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao said he felt insulted to be accused of taking PEDs. So while boxing fans are the big losers in the failed attempt for the super fight, Joshua Clottey became the only winner in the fiasco. To no surprise, Clottey is more than excited to have the chance to fight the best in the world.

“This is a miracle opportunity for me,”said Clottey. To share a ring with Manny Pacquiao is something I want to do because he is the best fighter pound for pound. He beat everyone in front of him, but I promise you that we are coming to fight and we will please the people.”

In his last fight, Clottey lost a controversial split decision to Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Clottey put on a tremendous performance against Cotto but faded in the later rounds. Despite the loss, Clottey showed that he belongs among the elite in the exciting welterweight division and bigger fights will come. There is no bigger one than this one.

“This is a very big fight. He’s one of the best fighters out there, and he’s beaten everyone they’ve given him. But we’re going to fight,” Clottey said. “I know it’s not an easy fight for me and it’s not an easy fight for him.”

Many boxing experts feel that Clottey has a decent chance of scoring the upset and he concurs with that thought when asked about his chances.

” I have everything needed to beat Pacquiao,” Clottey said. ” He throws a lot of punches but I block a lot of punches. We will see what happens. I have never lost to a southpaw in my career. When I fought Judah, he was quicker than me and threw a lot of punches. But my blocking had him confused and I took advantage.”

Clottey and his thoughts on the size advantage he will have over Pacquiao.
” Cotto had no respect for Manny’s power because he felt he was the bigger man, Clottey said.”  That will not happen to me. It does not matter how small he is. All it takes is one solid punch to the chin to knock you down and that is what happened with Cotto. It will not happen to me.”

Manny Pacquiao will try to further cement his legacy as he faces a tough challenge in Clottey. During the press conference, Pacquiao made it known that he wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. He doesn’t think the feeling was mutual.

“He didn’t want to fight me,” Pacquiao said. “I think maybe Mayweather is scared to lose.But I am not that disappointed on not fighting Floyd. It’s no big deal because I have to fight Clottey.

Manny needs to put the Mayweather fiasco behind him quickly as the fight is only less than 8 weeks away and has to put in a quicker training camp than usual. Pacquiao’s super trainer, Freddie Roach, does not seem too concerned on the fight being so close.

” We are little behind schedule,” Roach said. ” We are going forward with a six week training camp instead of the standard eight. He is doing plenty of running and playing plenty of basketball to keep him in shape. Manny is a great athlete and he will be more than ready for March 13th.”

Pacquiao was asked during the conference on how he feels about Clottey as an opponent.

“Joshua Clottey’s style is different from styles I have fought,” Pacquiao said. Clottey is bigger and taller than Miguel Cotto. I thought his fight with Cotto was very close. I have to prepare and train hard for this fight because Clottey is a strong fighter and a former champion. I won’t promise that I’ll win, but I promise a good fight.”

Though one question was answered, as it seems Cotto, (34-1, 27KO’s) has overcome his loss to Antonio Margarito last year that left him battered after 11 rounds/ It was a rough fight from the beginning, as expected, with the only knockdown coming from a Cotto punch late in the first round.

Clottey, (35,3, 21 KO’s) who gave Cotto the cut in the third round, attributed to a head butt, may have indeed been the winner if it weren’t for that 10-8 first round that went to Cotto  that caused Clottey to briefly hit the canvas.. And the final two rounds went to Cotto with one judge at ringside having 114-113 for Clottey, two others 115-112 and 116-111 for Cotto. This writer gave the fight to Clottey 114-113.

After the nasty cut continued to pour blood from the left eye, Cotto had to resort to another strategy. He continued to punch well, landing 723 punches to the 622 of Clottey, but the challenger in the ropes many times was able to take the punishment and land a few power punches of his own.

It was the onslaught of punches from Cotto that continued to show how resilient of a fighter Clottey is.  The native of Ghana, now residing in the Bronx, also had to overcome a pro Cotto crowd at the Garden. Most of the 17,734 were Cotto fans waving the Puerto Rican flag, screaming for their fighter throughout the fight, though this was the first time a Cotto fight at the Garden failed to sell out.

And if Top Rank promoter Bob Arum hadn’t consoled Clottey immediately after the fight, then perhaps this could have been the last fight for Clottey. Disappointed and annoyed about the final decision Clottey immediately said, “That’s it, I’m done with boxing, I can’t take it anymore.”

To which Arum, who promotes both Clottey and Cotto, embraced Clottey and said to him, “a magnificent fight and you have to continue.”  By all means Clottey deserves a return bout, and after listening to Arum and getting over the disappointment, Cottey asked for one.

But Clottey may have to wait as Arum is looking to put Cotto in the ring next, possibly with Manny Pacquio considered the best pound-for pound fighter at 147.  Said Clottey, “They robbed me. He was running and I was chasing. I threw the hardest punches.”

Hand it to Cotto though, because after the cut he fought like a champion.. Even in the ninth and tenth rounds the cut got worse, of which Cotto said, “The cut made me fight harder but I felt like that I was winning all the way”

But there were some tactics from Cotto that haven’t been seen. Perhaps his new trainer, Joe Santiago, who replaced Cotto’s uncle Evangelista, was a reason why Cotto in the fifth round was a different fighter. In the corner with Clottey he spun his opponent around and Clottey, fell face first on the canvas.

The result was some time for Clottey to recover after hurting his right knee but he was able to recover by continuing to fight at his pace. “The referee had to do something,” said Clottey who also complained that Cotto used low blows many times, also Cotto hit Clottey in the back of his head late in the fight which also got no warning from referee Arthur Mercante Jr.

Now Arum has to look at the future for Cotto.  The Pacquiao fight is what he would like to do and Cotto will evaluate the options.  There is also a possible return bout with WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley, and Cotto, from what has been often heard would like that chance again against Margarito..

But Margarito is still serving a one-year suspension for fighting with tainted hand wraps under his gloves which now appears to have been responsible for Cotto’s only loss. “I will see what the company says,” was the response from Cotto about getting Margarito again.

Clottey deserves a return bout and it may have to wait, and his courageous effort showed he is indeed one of the top three welterweights.  As for Cotto,: who admitted that Clottey was a tough opponent, it is time for some rest and maybe some readjustments with his new trainer and without cut man Miguel Diaz who he also dismissed.

“We made a few mistakes,” admitted Cotto who may still have to prove that he is in the company of other great Puerto Rican boxing champions such as Wilfredo Gomez and Felix Trinidad.  “Everybody will get better,” he said.

CALDERON GETS A DRAW: The co-feature on the Garden card saw junior flyweight champion Ivan Calderon (32-0-1, 6KO’s) of Guaynabo Puerto Rico earn a split decision of his 12-round fight that went to the judges scorecard after six rounds because of an accidental head butt. Challenger and opponent Rodel Mayol (25-3, 1, 19KO’s) of the Philippines caused the nasty cut on the forehead of Calderon.

As a result of the fight being halted after six rounds the technical rule of the championship bout becomes a decision for the judges. One judge had it even, one for Calderon and the other to Mayol and as a result Calderon retained his title.

“I was coming in and he would go down low and that’s when I got hit in the head,” said Calderon/. The butt came in the fourth round and another one moments later. It was the fourth defense of his title.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

It is one of those intriguing fights that could go either way and much of the speculation is how Cotto has adjusted to his new trainer, Joe Santiago. The challenger Clottey is set to confront a pro Cotto crowd at the Garden that will be sold out and the question is, will he be able to take an onslaught of Cotto punches to the body?

Cotto was very quiet and recently not offering much comment about his headlining a boxing card at the Garden for the fourth time in five years on the eve of New York’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade.  He focused and trained hard with Santiago down in Tampa Florida.

And until Wednesday, when the two fighters appeared at a final news conference at the Garden, Cotto had not said much There, were no Clottey appearances in the Bronx, where he now resides coming from his native Ghana while Cotto, the native of Caguas Puerto Rico, greeted the public twice in the past week at a Puerto Rican festival in the south Bronx and at a local AT&T store.

I love the people here,” said Cotto about greeting the vastly popular Puerto Rican community in the Bronx.  The fighter has become their ambassador in and out of the ring though in Puerto Rico they say former four-time champion Felix Trinidad still has the popularity.

Clottey who is finally getting his opportunity, and a long awaited championship bout at the Garden, has also been quiet since their initial press conference a few months ago. The fight televised on HBO Sports is also not on pay-per-view. Cotto wants his fans to see him without paying the $50.00 going rate for boxing PPV bouts.

And this, the words from promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, who promotes both Cotto and Clottey tells the story about Cotto and New York City. “Cotto has returned home,” he said with a gleaming smile.  The truth is Cotto hopes to return home to Puerto Rico with two thirds of the welterweight championship.

And Clottey, (35-2, 21KO’s) wants the public to finally know what he is about/and respects the opportunity that Cotto granted him. “Cotto is giving me an opportunity and I respect him for that,” said Clottey.  “They make him the favorite. Favorites don’t judge the fights. That’s their opinion.”

But Cotto is the favorite in just about every fight. Except this time Clottey is getting the accolades and a majority of boxing media are looking at Cotto heading to another defeat. Distractions prior to training camp, Cotto and an altercation with uncle and former longtime trainer Evangelista, and an ugly loss to Antonio Margarito that resulted in a WBA title loss may be the reason.

Cotto has put that all on the past, won’t discuss the previous problems and as Santiago said, “All of my work will show in the ring Saturday night.”  A different strategy or approach, perhaps going for a quick knockout could be what we see.

In line for Cotto, assuming he wins could be a return bout with Margarito who is under suspension for using tainted hand wraps under his gloves when Margarito lost the WBA welterweight title to Shane Mosley last year. The speculation is that the same wraps were used when Margaritio defeated Cotto by TKO last July in Las Vegas.

Or Cotto could at 140, challenge Manny Pacquiao, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter by the experts.  Pacquiao will be attending the fight at ringside and a Cotto-Pacquiao fight can be a marketing bonanza for Arum who also promotes Pacquiao.

To the controversy that has surrounded Cotto and for future fights he says, “I am at peace with myself.”  He leaves his future options to Arum and part of his reason as to avoiding questions from the media also stemmed from rumors that he has been seeking a way to break his contract with Top Rank that runs through next year.

On Margaritio, Cotto said “If we put everything together I will make a deal.” And he is open to a Pacquiao fight or any of the other top fighters in the welterweight division including Floyd Mayweather Jr. the former champion who recently came out of a brief retirement.

“I can’t talk about something I don’t know,” says Cotto about the Margarito incident that left him battered in the ring after 11 rounds. “I respect him though,” he said. Though the talk was Cotto became very angry and aggravated that Arum, who also promotes Margarito, played two sides perhaps a reason why Cotto wanted out of his Top Rank commitment. .

“I am not looking ahead, I never do.  I never say no to anyone. I am here for the new fighters and the real fighters. The welterweight division is real and good for boxing. On Saturday we are going to leave everything in the ring and we are going to win.”

Cotto has never lost a fight at the Garden since his debut there in 2005 and has sold more tickets than any other fighter at the Mecca of Boxing this millennium. And if were up to Cotto he would prefer all of his fights take place in New York at the famed Garden arena.

But Clottey, even with all of his respect for Cotto has his own agenda. “Guys don’t want to fight me and I thank Miguel for giving me the chance,” he said.   If I hit him then he has a lot of problem and if I hit him and he is still standing then I have problems,”

Cotto (33-1, 27KO’s) is a three-time champion in two different divisions and Clottey  had his biggest career victory, a 10-round technical decision over former three-time world champion Zab Judah  August 2  of  last year..

In addition Clottey, an aggressive puncher with power is on a two-year five-bout winning streak. He also has wins over the late Diego Corrales the two division champion, undefeated contender Shamone Alvarez and two-time world title challenger Felix Flores.

But all of that won’t matter when they touch gloves around 10:30 Saturday evening.  The pick here is Clottey by TKO in round 11.

NEW YORK – There was Miguel Cotto the WBO welterweight champion at Madison Square Garden Tuesday afternoon but there was something noticeably different. Cotto was very quiet and not saying much about his headlining a boxing card at the Garden for the fourth time in five years on the eve of New York’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

He is scheduled to defend his title and unify the championship against IBF champion Joshua Clottey at the Garden Saturday evening June 13 televised on HBO. The one who was talking more was Clottey who is finally getting his opportunity and a long awaited championship bout at the Garden.

And Clottey, (35-2, 21KO’s) a native of Accra Ghana now residing in the Bronx, New York, may have an advantage. Cotto is in the mist of controversy, without a trainer after throwing punches last week at his uncle Evangelista at a gym in Puerto Rico.

Was Cotto bringing his fight outside the ring?

Sources said it was an ugly incident that resulted in police being called and possible assault charges being filed by Evangelista, Cotto’s longtime manager and trainer. Cotto on Monday was in Puerto Rico, and before leaving for New York said that the incident would not lead to assault charges against him and the incident was history.

An incident that could have ramifications because Cotto is without a trainer and though he refused to comment, a source from his promotion at Top Rank said, “His association with Evangelista is over.” Cotto quickly departed to Tampa Florida for an intense training camp in preparation for Clottey.

This wasn’t the same and cooperative Cotto that the media has become accustomed to know. He loves fighting at the Garden, kept his commitment to meet the media on Tuesday and had little to offer about the incident. “It’s over,’ he said, “and all I want to do is focus on this fight.”

The slugfest with Cotto and his uncle last week was over a dispute that has been going on for the past few years.  A difference of training philosophy and Cotto wanting Evangelista to train him down in Tampa, however, Evangelista, with commitments to train other fighters in Puerto Rico would not budge.

“It was ugly and Miguel has become very hard to deal with,” said the source who, is around the fighter constantly. “There are problems,” he said, adding that Cotto, who turned down six other possible replacements for Evangelista, “Is going into a significant fight without a trainer.”

But many times, another former champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. went without a trainer for significant fights. So with the Cotto work ethic, and with his disposition as it is, not having someone by his side could work for or against him.

It is an important fight against Clottey for many reasons. Cotto has never lost a fight at the Garden since his debut there in 2005 and has sold more tickets than any other fighter at the Mecca of Boxing this millennium. Added to the drama is Mayweather, unofficially out of retirement and training again. And a big money fight with another Top Rank fighter, champion Manny Pacquaio could be next.

And there has been increasing talk that Cotto, signed through 2010 with Top Rank, is looking to get out of his contract. The source said Cotto was not happy that he lost the WBA title to the Mexican Antonio Margarito last year who is also another Top Rank fighter.

That fight, controversial, revealed afterwards that Margarito fought with tainted hand wraps. Margarito is now on suspension for a year as ordered by the California State Athletic Commission and the suspension is in the appeal process that was filed by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.

Cotto wanted to fight Margaritio again, instead of Clottey at the Garden, which also put him in more disfavor with his promoters. All Cotto would say, “I am training hard, will continue to train hard and go back to Puerto Rico with the title.”

Clottey is hoping to spoil all of those plans and is destined to take on Mayweather or Pacquiao and isn’t concerned that Cotto may have distractions. He has been looking for this fight and taking on some of the other elite fighters in the division. The contract with Cotto was signed Tuesday morning leading to more speculation that Cotto may have wanted to change direction as to fighting at the Garden again in June.

Without a trainer Cotto hopes to show Victory posture against Clottey.

Last June Cotto missed his annual New York Garden engagement due to his fight schedule. The three fight-a-year schedule, which has been a Cotto trademark since gaining championship status, did not fit in with a fight in April and obviously June left minimal time for preparation.

“Guys don’t want to fight me and I thank Miguel for giving me the chance,” said Clottey. “I will run after him and when he comes to me I will give it to him. Cotto (33-1, 27KO’s) is a three-time champion in two different divisions and Clottey had his biggest career victory, a 10-round technical decision over former three-time world champion Zab Judah on August 2.

In addition Clottey, an aggressive puncher with power is on a two-year five-bout winning streak. He also has wins over the late Diego Corrales the two division champion, undefeated contender Shamone Alvarez and two-time world title challenger Felix Flores.

As for fighting Cotto at the Garden, where there will no doubt be overwhelming support from the Puerto Rican crowd. Clottey said that is not an issue. He has fought in front of hostile crowds in the past and the ultimate goal was to be in the ring at the Garden.

“I fought Corrales in Missouri in front of his fans and it didn’t bother me,” said Clottey. The question now is, will Cotto be able to settle his issues and be focused when he gets in the ring with Clottey? That remains to be determined in what certainly will be an interesting night at the Garden.

DE LA HOYA HANGS UP THE GLOVES: A true boxing legend and future Hall of Famer, Oscar De La Hoya, officially told the public that it is over. Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in Los Angeles, “The Golden Boy: with his wife, father, family and friends present fought back tears and told the story.

“Boxing has been the single most consistent part of my life and although I miss the ring I know that is a time for me to step away from the sport competitively and become more active in the other aspects of it that are already in place and ready for me to pursue,” he said.

De La Hoya, retired from the ring with a 39-6, 30 KO record and will not doubt be remembered for his great fights with Felix Trinidad and Mayweather. There were also the classic and gracious remarks after every fight and his willingness to never offer excuses, even after a controversial loss to Trinidad.

Most of all, De La Hoya was always thankful to the fans who came out to support him at arenas and who watched on pay-per-view. He along with Mayweather hold the highest rated grossing pay-per-view records in boxing. “Most importantly I deeply appreciate all of my fans who showered me with their cheers and support,” he said.

De La Hoya won’t disappear. He is a main promoter with “Golden Boy Promotions” which has quickly become one of the top reputed organizations in the boxing industry. The 10-time world champion was pounded in his last fight back in December and calls for his retirement came after losing by TKO to Manny Pacquaio.

But something says, De La Hoya, who won his championships in every division from 130 to 160, will step in the ring again. Mayweather coming back and a return bout with De La Hoya could set a new pay-per-view record.

Because as we all know, more than one champion has called it quits in the past and soon returned to the ring.

E-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com