Arum mas pabor kay Cotto kaysa kay Mosley

MANILA, Philippines - Sa pagitan nina Manny Pacquiao at Sugar Shane Mosley, mas gusto na ni Bob Arum ng Top Rank Promotions na ang Filipino boxing superstar ang makasagupa ni dating Puerto Rican world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto kaysa sa bagong American world welterweight king.

Ngunit bago magplano si Arum, dapat munang talunin ni Cotto si Michael Jennings para sa bakanteng World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown at igupo ni Pacquiao si Briton Ricky Hatton para sa suot nitong International Boxing Organization (IBO) light welterweight belt.

 “I would think that if Miguel now beats Michael Jennings and wins his fight against whomever it is in June, and Manny Pacquiao beats Ricky Hatton, why wouldn’t I try to make a match between two of my best fighters,” ani Arum sa panayam ng Setanta Sports kahapon.

Nakatakdang magsagupa sina Cotto at Jennings sa Linggo, habang magtatagpo naman sina Pacquiao at Hatton sa Mayo 2.

 Ayon kay Arum, hindi siya interesado sa rematch nina Cotto at Mosley, inagawan si Mexican Antonio Margarito ng hawak nitong World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title noong Enero.

“I’ve said that we’re going to sit down after this fight if he’s successful with Jennings, look over all the possibilities and make the best decision for Miguel’s career,” ani Arum. “But if we decide to fight the day before the Puerto Rican parade in Madison Square Garden, Mosley may not be the best alternative.”

Tinalo na ni Cotto si Mosley, nasa bakuran ng Golden Boy Promotions ni Oscar Dela Hoya, via unanimous decision sa kanilang unang welterweight championship fight noong Nobyembre ng 2007. (Russell Cadayona)