Challenger Daniel Geale (31-3) says he already is a step ahead of WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (39-4) as the days wind down until they clash this Saturday on HBO.
Geale expects Cotto come out fast, show zero respect and attempt to score a quick knockout.
Freddie Roach, Cotto’s trainer, tends to have a lot of fighters in his stable who are fast starters, and shoot for quick knockouts.
With a victory, Cotto could set himself up for a date with Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez later in the year.
Cotto, who is considered to be a future Hall of Famer, recently signed a three-fight $70 million deal with ROC Nation, the sports and entertainment company owned by U.S. rap artist Jay-Z, leaving Top Rank because he didn’t feel respected during his tenure.
Daniel Geale will be Cotto’s first fight with ROC Nation, with the fight set to take place at the Barclays Center in New York.
Geale comes in with a three-inch height advantage and a four-inch reach advantage. If the Aussie is feeling that Cotto is going to rush him early, the ball could fall right into his hands.
If the Aussie keeps the shorter Cotto on the outside, it’s going to be much tougher for him to land his signature left hook to the body, which is by far his best weapon. His straight right hand also has some good pop, but nothing as solid as his left hook.
“I’m expecting an aggressive Cotto. I’m expecting a guy who’s not going to show me a lot of respect,” Geale said.
“He’s going to come out hard and he’s going to be thinking that he’s going to stop me early, but I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
However, the path to becoming a two-time world champion, could be difficult for Geale in another way.
Last June, Cotto challenged Sergio Martinez for the WBC title at a catch-weight of 159 pounds. For the fight with Geale, a catch-weight of 157 pounds was demanded and set in stone.
“I had to do [a catch-weight] at this particular time and anyone who wants to fight me must accept a catch-weight or otherwise there is no fight,” Cotto said.
With Cotto’s approach, he’s taking a path that isn’t Hall of Fame worthy, despite being one of the greatest fighters of the ERA, a throwback type of fighter who has rarely failed to live up to the hype.
RingTV’s Bill Emes spoke to Geale about the upcoming fight, where the former IBF World middleweight champion praised Cotto, but also added his disappointment about the catch-weight.
“It’s a huge opportunity and it’s something that I’ve wanted for a while. To a fight guy like Cotto; he’s going to end up being a Hall of Famer.
“To be honest, when I first heard it [was going to be a catch-weight], I was disappointed,” Geale said.
“He beat Sergio Martinez, who wasn’t a big middleweight by any means. I’m frustrated by it, I’m a little bit annoyed by it, but I’ve got a great team helping me to make that weight.”
And, he had a stern warning for Miguel Cotto.
“Once I do, I’m going to get through it and I’m going to do well.”
It’s a no-win situation for Cotto. If he beats Geale, let alone has any problems against him, he’s going to get trashed by his critics. If he loses, you bet it’s going to be even worse.
