Arum hopes to seal deal for Pacquiao-Cotto bout

MANILA, Philippines – Weight and purse split issues are what Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is trying to settle for the projected Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto title fight later this year. The veteran promoter has made known his intention to have the two fight at a catch weight. At the same time, he also stressed that the Filipino boxing icon, considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, should have the bigger share of the pie as far as the fight purse is concerned. Other than that, Arum doesn’t see any other major hitches for the 12-round bout set on November 14 in Las Vegas. Both Pacquiao and Cotto are being promoted by Top Rank. “I hope to put it together this week, to get an agreement on terms," said Arum. Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach stressed time and again that a showdown with Cotto should be at around 142 to 143 pounds, a weight the Puerto Rican fighter hasn’t fought in since 2006. Cotto already expressed his desire to meet Pacquiao in the ring, but insisted that they clash within the welterweight limit. The Philippine pride took on ring legend Oscar De La Hoya at 147-pound last December, but reverted to junior welterweight (140) in his last bout against Ricky Hatton where he scored a devastating second round knockout. Rex “Wakee" Salud, long-time boxing promoter and close adviser of Pacquiao, said he doesn’t believe Cotto won’t fight Pacquiao below 147, hinting a fair share of the purse would make the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion agree to the terms. “Eventually he’ll agree and settle to a catch weight with Manny," he said. If ever, Salud pointed out Cotto’s fight with Pacquiao would be his biggest pay day, more than the figures he earned in his knockout loss to Mexican Antonio Margarito last year. While Arum floated the idea of a 70-30 split in the purse, Salud said a 65-35 share will be ideal to both fighters. Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) is coming off an unimpressive split decision win over Joshua Clottey to retain his title before a packed crowd at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York. Pacquiao (49-3, 37 KOs) was at ringside during the match, after which he gave his blessings to Arum to start negotiating for a possible Cotto face-off later this year. – GMAnews.TV