Cotto fires uncle-trainer, may result in court case
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Miguel Cotto is due in New York on Tuesday to discuss his June fight against Joshua Clottey but another matter emerged last week: the firing of his uncle-trainer Evangelista Cotto and the possible Puerto Rico criminal case that could accompany a fight the pair had at a gym last week.
Cotto, who claims a world welterweight title, has had a contentious relationship with his uncle for an extended period.
‘I always knew the relationship was strained,’ Cotto’s promoter Bob Arum told The Times on Monday. ‘It was terrible before Miguel fought [and loss to Antonio] Margarito. They weren’t even talking. It was totally dysfunctional. But I never thought it’d come to blows.’
According to news reports that Arum confirmed, Evangelista threw a cement block that struck the window of the boxer’s new 2009 Jaguar.
‘This is true,’ Arum said. ‘I’m told he was throwing it [the block] at Miguel.’
Arum said he’s vowed to not interfere in the dispute even if his million-dollar fighter is subject to physical harm, because ‘it’s family.’
Arum, however, said it’s clear Evangelista is out. He said when he went to purchase airline tickets and hotel rooms for Cotto’s trip to New York, Cotto’s attorney informed the promoter, ‘Evangelista is off the list.’
-- Lance Pugmire
