Cotto arrives in NY, sporting the Kronk colors (Emmanuel Stewart is indeed his new trainer).
Kinda looks like Calvin from McDonalds
Steward: "Miguel Cotto Can Not Afford To Lose Again"
By Rick Reeno
After taking a significant amount of punishment in three of his last four fights, former two-division champion Miguel Cotto knew it was time for a change. On Wednesday, Cotto officially announced one of the worst kept secrets in boxing, that he hired Emanuel Steward to replace Joe Santiago as the head trainer.
Cotto had his first training session under Steward on Wednesday, which took place at a gym in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The training session lasted for two hours, and included sparring, jumping rope and a short routine involving weights.
"I've always been one of his biggest fans, and although I didn't train him, I've studied him closely in all of his fights since his days as an amateur, so I know him pretty well, plus I've had a chance to talk with him and the chemistry has been good," said Steward.
"Miguel has a lot of talent and he can't finish his career with two defeats and a close decision. At this point in his career, he can not afford to lose another fight. His last couple of opponents would have been tough for anyone, but that doesn't mean that as a boxer he isn't required to work on certain technical skills and movements that he used to have when he first started in the sport. Miguel means a lot to his people. He has to work hard to regain those wonderful movements that he used to have and focus on the natural punching ability that made him an idol in Puerto Rico."
Steward will work Cotto's corner on June 5 when the Puerto Rican star moves up in weight to challenge unbeaten WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman at New York's Yankee Stadium. Against Foreman, Steward believes "speed" - and not power - is going be the key to victory. To beat Foreman by knockout is not a mandatory requirement, but the veteran trainer does want Cotto to "win impressively."
"He's a strong fighter, but above all very intelligent, and that is very important because a big part of training right is the psychological aspect. 40% of my work with him will be to talk and give advice, I know that he will understand me quite well, which will make things easier and make us work well together," Steward said.
Cotto is very happy with the addition of Steward and expects a very impressive performance against Foreman.
"[Steward] can contribute a lot, and not only for me but for the whole group, and that's why we went for Emanuel. Right now, everything depends on how well we prepare with the help of Emanuel, the help of Joe [Santiago], Phil [Landman], Bryan [Perez], and all of the other members of the team. I am very confident of victory," Cotto said.
On Thursday, Cotto, Steward, Landman and Santiago will travel to Tampa, Florida to set up their training camp. On Friday they will attend a press conference in New York's Yankee Stadium to officially announce the Foreman fight. On Saturday, Miguel's older brother, Jose Miguel Cotto, will join their camp to finish up his training for his fight with Saul Alvarez on the Mayweather-Mosley pay-per-view undercard on May 1 in Las Vegas.
