Miguel Cotto's New Ways

On April 8th 2009, Cotto fired his uncle and long-time trainer Evangelista Cotto from the team's staff, after a verbal dispute turned violent. According to Cotto's camp Evangelista was against Cotto moving his training to Tampa, FL where Miguel now lives. He believed that Cotto should not train outside of Puerto Rico, even though it was becoming a distraction - do to Miguel's celebrity.

Things between the two were shaky for more than three years, before it finally came to blows, Miguel getting his 2009 Jaguar XKR window smashed, and his uncle losing his job.

This went down shortly after Cotto's now controversial loss to the hands of Antonio Margarito. Needing a new trainer, Miguel turned to his staffs nutritionist Joe Santiago. Miguel also went out and got a few tattoos. The most visible one being a tribal that covers the right side of his body from knee-to-shoulder. It resembles the tribal Tyson now sports on his face. He also has three Chinese letters on the side of his neck, his kids names on his left bicep, a scorpion on his shoulder, and a star on his wrist.

With all these new changes happening around the Cotto camp you have to wonder what is going through the mind of Miguel Cotto. He has always conducted himself with respect and class and has been a great ambassador for the sport of boxing. If this scenario was to have played out at another boxers camp you would think that maybe they got big headed and selfish. However, I don't think that is the case with Miguel, I think that they are having a family dispute on an issue they wish to not share just yet. It was necessary for Miguel to seek a new trainer, someone who he could respect and get along with.

The tattoos Cotto chose and the location of them mark the sign of a beast! He has his kids names on his left bicep. Cotto's best punch is his left hook (to the head or body), he chose to put those names there in flames to remind him what he is fighting for. The scorpion lurking around his shoulder is just waiting to attack. The long tribal is like his war paint as he stalks his prey in the ring. The Chinese letters on side of his neck are to show he embraces the code of the Samurai. With his new focus and only taste of defeat, I believe Cotto is going to step up his game and fight like a man possessed.

Saturday's fight against Joshua Clottey showed the world the kind of boxer Miguel Cotto is. Despite being badly cut over his left eye in the fourth round, Cotto continued to pursue and exchange with another very talented young fighter. Never looking for an easy/early escape which would more than likely have earned him a victory, Miguel pressed on and finished the fight strong. He earned the victory via split decision after going all 12 rounds.

What do you guys think about Cotto's new ways? Do you think maybe he is getting the "big head" or do you think he did the right thing by firing his long-time uncle/trainer? Ultimately does his new style and training benefit him or should he have stayed with his uncle? All very good questions and something that only time will tell, but from what I see so far I like it! Let me know what you think.

Cotto Tattoos

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