Cotto/Pacquio to fight for new WBC Diamond Belt

[ALI]

Taken from fightnews.com

Pacman-Cotto for new WBC belt

The WBC Board of Governors has approved by a unanimous vote that the November 14 welterweight clash between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto (contract weight 145lbs) will be the first ever for the WBC Diamond Belt. “The Diamond Belt has received a tremendous positive response from promoters and media around the world, and we at the WBC are very excited and proud that this important and historic fight will be the first for the Diamond Belt,” said WBC President Jose Sulaiman. “The WBC will not charge a sanction fee on this extraordinary occasion.”

I think i'm going to throw up!

What the monkey's is this belt needed for? Does anyone know the WBC's reasoning behind it? The piece above mentions they are not taking a sanctioning fee for 'this fight', most likely to try and get this new gimmick title a better reception from fans and media.

[alexpaterson]

What a joke they should'nt fight for a belt at a Catchweight they should go to a weight and fight for a proper belt

[stujones]

Its rediculous, especially as Cotto is a 147 lbs champion. If this fight is between 140 and 147, why cannot Cotto's Welter title be on the line.

[Poncey]

Its rediculous, especially as Cotto is a 147 lbs champion. If this fight is between 140 and 147, why cannot Cotto's Welter title be on the line.

Because it's not a welterweight fight. The WBO, for once, are correct.

Berto must be pissed.

[Asterix]

Its rediculous, especially as Cotto is a 147 lbs champion. If this fight is between 140 and 147, why cannot Cotto's Welter title be on the line.

Because it's not a welterweight fight. The WBO, for once, are correct.

Berto must be pissed.

Sorry, Emerson, but as long as it's 147 lbs or under, and above 140 lbs, it's a welterweight fight. I concede that it could be against the sanctioning body's rules to have a lower limit than 147, but it's still a welterweight fight.

[dbf]

It is 100% a welterweight fight. Were Cotto v Mosely and Cotto V Judah not Welter fights as they all came in under 147?

I called this on an earlier thread, it was inevitable that the WBC would sanction this as its inaugaral WBC diamond belt fight.

[Dioufy]

How can it be for a welterweight world title if Cotto doesn't have full use of the weight division. It's like Hatton wanting to fight Berto an ounce over 140lbs and saying that it could be for a 147lbs world title. I'm glad the WBO said no, although I expected them to sanction it.

[ALI]

How can it be for a welterweight world title if Cotto doesn't have full use of the weight division.

Exactly, its odd that some people fail to get that. Cotto is being restricted, he's being asked to slim down 2 lbs under the official 147lbs limit, putting himself at a disadvantage, in order to meet team Pacquio's demands. He accepted the challenge, but had every right to refuse to put his 147lbs title on the line.

If they signed to fight at 147lbs, and both came in at around 141lbs, its an official welterweight title fight. But if a champion has been asked to sign a contract which states he must come in under the official championship weight limit, then the title cannot be on the line. Rules are rules and should not be interfeared with in by people who's only interests are making more money.

[opticald]

Blame Pacquaio this is all his doing, the catchweight bitch

[Poncey]

Its rediculous, especially as Cotto is a 147 lbs champion. If this fight is between 140 and 147, why cannot Cotto's Welter title be on the line.

Because it's not a welterweight fight. The WBO, for once, are correct.

Berto must be pissed.

Sorry, Emerson, but as long as it's 147 lbs or under, and above 140 lbs, it's a welterweight fight. I concede that it could be against the sanctioning body's rules to have a lower limit than 147, but it's still a welterweight fight.

So it's fair Pacman has a 2 pounds advantage for the belt, whereas Clottey didn't?

[banjo]

Blame Pacquaio this is all his doing, the catchweight bitch

Agreed.

[Dioufy]

IMO, a title should only be on the line when a fighter can come in at any weight between the regulated weight divisions.

[Asterix]

Sorry, Emerson, but as long as it's 147 lbs or under, and above 140 lbs, it's a welterweight fight. I concede that it could be against the sanctioning body's rules to have a lower limit than 147, but it's still a welterweight fight.

So it's fair Pacman has a 2 pounds advantage for the belt, whereas Clottey didn't?

I wasn't referring to the fairness of the fight, just what IS a welterweight fight and what IS NOT.

For what it's worth, I said Pacquiao should fight Cotto with the weight limit at 147 lbs. If I was in charge of the sanctioning body I would tell Pacquiao he has to agree to the 147 lbs limit or not get the belt.

So no, it's not fair, but the contracts are signed, and it is a welterweight fight, though not at the upper limit.

[Dioufy]

Blame Pacquaio this is all his doing, the catchweight bitch

Be fair, to my knowledge, Pacquiao has only asked Cotto to agree to a catchweight. Against de la Hoya, it was at 147lbs. Yes, he asked him to cut weight, but it was a mega-lucrative fight, and it couldn't have been made at light middleweight.

95% of folk I know picked Oscar to KO Pacman, and early. Some even called it a mismatch. So, IMO, it's not fair to be wise after the event. Who knows, if Oscar didn't lose too much weight, too early, then he could've won. He did the weight wrong, remember.

It's not as if Pacquiao is asking Cotto to kill himself too. Cotto came in against Clottey one pound above 145lbs. Surely with enough time, Cotto can lose that extra pound. He's a big welterweight, but he's not a monster one. I think Cotto KO's Pacman and early as well.

[stujones]

The Welterweight limit is from 140-147 lbs. This is a Welterweight fight and it should be for the title. The fact that Cotto has agreed to drop a few pounds is his business - don't sign for the fight if he didn't want it. Cotto techincally is in a no-lose situation now, yet Pacqauiao is being painted as the bad guy for making Cotto lose the weight.

Same with Hopkins vs DLH, and yes had Hatton chosen to come in at 141 lbs to fight Collazo - then he would still be sanctioned for the title.

[GazMan85]

The Welterweight limit is from 140-147 lbs. This is a Welterweight fight and it should be for the title. The fact that Cotto has agreed to drop a few pounds is his business - don't sign for the fight if he didn't want it. Cotto techincally is in a no-lose situation now, yet Pacqauiao is being painted as the bad guy for making Cotto lose the weight.

Same with Hopkins vs DLH, and yes had Hatton chosen to come in at 141 lbs to fight Collazo - then he would still be sanctioned for the title.

I agree with you, but your last sentence kind of shows why it isn't sanctioned. Hatton could have chosen to do this. Cotto can't choose to do this. He has signed the contract to make 145, and I assume that there is some hefty penalty clause if he doesn't, thus, he is not able to fight at the full title limit.

I can see both sides of the argument.

[whiskey]

There be NO belt when the rules are bent for a contractual affair like this is.

Either the full rules with regards weight are observed, or it's a non-title fight.

End of.

[Poncey]

There be NO belt when the rules are bent for a contractual affair like this is.

Either the full rules with regards weight are observed, or it's a non-title fight.

End of.

x2

[oliverfennell]

Blame Pacquaio this is all his doing, the catchweight bitch

Poor Cotto, FORCED against his will to take this fight, against a guy who has spent the majority of his career fighting 1-7 divisions below him. Cry for Cotto, who will likely have an on-the-night advantage of 10-15lb. It really is disgusting he has to fight that "bitch", especially when he'll have to drop an entire POUND from his last registered weight. Good god, I shudder to think how he'll manage it, short of having an embalmer suck all the fluid out of his body and a surgeon take off both legs below the knee.

[oliverfennell]

What the monkey's is this belt needed for?

Because, according to the humble servant of our sport, Jose Sulaiman, it is "for the benefit of everybody involved in boxing".

[dbf]

Sorry, Emerson, but as long as it's 147 lbs or under, and above 140 lbs, it's a welterweight fight. I concede that it could be against the sanctioning body's rules to have a lower limit than 147, but it's still a welterweight fight.

So it's fair Pacman has a 2 pounds advantage for the belt, whereas Clottey didn't?

I wasn't referring to the fairness of the fight, just what IS a welterweight fight and what IS NOT.

For what it's worth, I said Pacquiao should fight Cotto with the weight limit at 147 lbs. If I was in charge of the sanctioning body I would tell Pacquiao he has to agree to the 147 lbs limit or not get the belt.

So no, it's not fair, but the contracts are signed, and it is a welterweight fight, though not at the upper limit.

Agreed. I was making the same point. This is a welterweight fight absoulutely but should it be for the welterweight title? Possibly not.

[opticald]

Blame Pacquaio this is all his doing, the catchweight bitch

Poor Cotto, FORCED against his will to take this fight, against a guy who has spent the majority of his career fighting 1-7 divisions below him. Cry for Cotto, who will likely have an on-the-night advantage of 10-15lb. It really is disgusting he has to fight that "bitch", especially when he'll have to drop an entire POUND from his last registered weight. Good god, I shudder to think how he'll manage it, short of having an embalmer suck all the fluid out of his body and a surgeon take off both legs below the knee.

I love that argument.

"It's only a pound!"

Well why make Cotto come in at 145 then? If it's "only a pound" and not a big deal at all, why stipulate it? I know why, but seemingly you don't.

I don't care where Pacman has been til now. He beat Oscar at 147 and Hatton at 140. He wants to fight Cotto for the welterweight title, then fight at 147, don't make him WEAKEN himself so you have more of a chance. Then don't campaign for more titles in boxing and say you want to fight for a new catchweight title.

Simply put, he is becoming known as "the catchweight bitch" among boxing circles.

[Dioufy]

and yes had Hatton chosen to come in at 141 lbs to fight Collazo - then he would still be sanctioned for the title.

The day anything like that happens again, is the day I stop watching boxing. I mean it.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Its rediculous, especially as Cotto is a 147 lbs champion. If this fight is between 140 and 147, why cannot Cotto's Welter title be on the line.

Because it's not a welterweight fight. The WBO, for once, are correct.

Berto must be pissed.

It IS a welterweight fight, as stated by others, it's over 140 and under 147.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Blame Pacquaio this is all his doing, the catchweight bitch

Poor Cotto, FORCED against his will to take this fight, against a guy who has spent the majority of his career fighting 1-7 divisions below him. Cry for Cotto, who will likely have an on-the-night advantage of 10-15lb. It really is disgusting he has to fight that "bitch", especially when he'll have to drop an entire POUND from his last registered weight. Good god, I shudder to think how he'll manage it, short of having an embalmer suck all the fluid out of his body and a surgeon take off both legs below the knee.

I love that argument.

"It's only a pound!"

Well why make Cotto come in at 145 then? If it's "only a pound" and not a big deal at all, why stipulate it? I know why, but seemingly you don't.

I don't care where Pacman has been til now. He beat Oscar at 147 and Hatton at 140. He wants to fight Cotto for the welterweight title, then fight at 147, don't make him WEAKEN himself so you have more of a chance. Then don't campaign for more titles in boxing and say you want to fight for a new catchweight title.

Simply put, he is becoming known as "the catchweight bitch" among boxing circles.

Well, quite simply, Cotto could have just refused.