Joel Diaz Says Cotto-Bradley Likely Off The Table Now

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1bradley_joel_diaz_stacey-530x317Joel Diaz, the trainer of Timothy Bradley (amongst many others) spoke to Tha Boxing Voice about his main charge’s future prospects following his defeat to nemesis Manny Pacquaio in a rematch held in April earlier this year.

He appeared confident of how Bradley, who campaigns at welterweight, would cope with new WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto should the two meet in the ring despite the large weight differential.

“They were talking about him and Cotto fighting at 154 lbs. Cotto was 140lbs at one point before moving up…….He’s a strong fighter with a devastating left hook, but I just think styles make fights.”

He seemed less optimistic about the match actually being made however, as Cotto’s horizons have widened greatly in the higher weight category; “Now there is Gennady Golovkin, there is ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Tim is no longer mentioned with Cotto anymore.”

He looked disappointed as he conceded the point but nevertheless seemed happy with Bradley’s mental state following the loss to Pacquiao. Fans will remember the fight earlier this year was a rematch of a highly contentious battle waged back in June 2012, which ended in a point’s victory for Bradley that the vast majority of spectators disagreed with. He was out to prove a point in the return and was swinging for the fences early doors, an approach that likely cost him the fight as Manny boxed and moved his way to the win.

“Mentally he’s good. After the fight with Pacquiao, even though he lost, he lost with pride. The first time he got no credit whatsoever so even in a loss (this time) he got a lot of credit and respect from the fans.”

When asked if a trilogy with Manny could happen his tone was hopeful: “That would be a great fight. On paper it’s one and one, it all depends on the promoters and whatever they want to do.” Adversely he was quick to downplay the possibility of a second bout with recently dethroned light-welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov, the first of which won fight of the year for 2013 and saw Bradley climb from the canvas three times -one was officially ruled a slip- to get the points win. Diaz insisted it would be a different fight, sighting Chris Algieri’s box and move approach as the blueprint to victory.

So it seems like the only fight Diaz sees as a viable option is a third fight with Manny, given the high demand for Cotto and the desire to put the close shave with Ruslan firmly in the past. It is unfair that a fighter of Bradley’s stature and ability should be forced to accept such limited options, but given the complicated promotional landscape and the fact that he is just so hard to beat, hardly surprising.