Miguel Cotto Stripped of WBC title days before Mega fight
The WBC stripped Miguel Cotto of his title just four days before his mega fight against Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas.
According to ESPN, the reason for this was Cotto’s refusal to pay the $300,000 sanctioning fee. This means Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is eligible to claim the vacant belt, and the Mexican superstar would also displace Cotto as lineal champion. If Miguel Cotto were to win, Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin would be given the status of WBC World middleweight champion, which would give him all the major title belts.
Per ESPN.COM:
In addition to seeking $300,000 from each fighter in sanctioning fees, the WBC also required $25,000 apiece from the two promoters, Roc Nation Sports and Golden Boy Promotions. When the fight was made part of the deal was that Cotto and Roc Nation had to agree to pay Golovkin – Cotto’s mandatory challenger – step-aside money to allow the fight to go through.
“The WBC’s decision is premised on the fact that Miguel Cotto and his camp are not willing to abide by the governing WBC rules and regulations, and the specific conditions the WBC established to sanction the fight,” the WBC said. “Simply put: they are not willing to respect the very same rules and conditions which applied to Cotto becoming WBC champion. The WBC wishes Miguel Cotto the best of luck as we truly regret the course of action which led to them taking such decision. … The WBC wishes the promotion great success, and we are satisfied that this great fight for boxing will be enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.”
The timing of all of this couldn’t be more shocking; especially knowing the winner of this Saturdays fight would have become mandatory to GGG.
Golovkin has already allowed two step aside fights for Cotto over the last year with the idea that he will have a fair shot at the winner of Saturday night’s match. This news comes as disappointing as the world hoped to see a possible showdown with Golovkin and Cotto, should he be victorious.
Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez takes place Saturday, Nov 21st LIVE on HBO/ PPV.
Fight fans- what are your thoughts on this?
Michelle Joy Phelps/ @MichellePhelps
Cotto think of him self to hi he hiper him self think that he can do werever.he. chose that for a razon he dont want the belt so he dont have to figth ggg
He just dont want to fight ggg and thats why he dont want the belt and hes going to get the beat by canelo the true is that ggg has more respet to canelo that him