Cotto: “Why Fight Martinez now and not 4 years ago?

Photo by Chris Farina/ Top Rank

Everything happens at the time it needs to happen. I do not push destiny. Boxers take different paths in their career and those roads don’t always come together. If someone would have told me that I would be fighting for a world championship at 160 pounds four years ago I would have not thought possible. But here I am looking to make history – becoming the first Puerto Rican to win world titles in four different weight divisions.

This is the kind of fight that always has been talked about and now is becoming a reality.  I think it is a perfect timing to make it happen. We both have had our moments over our careers. I feel good and satisfied that it’s happening at this stage of my career. I feel totally renewed and with a fresh mind to come in and do my job on June 7.

We as fighters always want to fight the best possible opponents and the best fights. We want the fans and media to be excited about the fights that we have. I know believe that this is a big fight and people want to see it, I no sure that was the case a few years back.

I believe that I given the fans the best fights that I can. I fought some of the best fighters at 140, 147 and 154 pounds and now here I am facing the best at 160. For me boxing has always been about challenges and competing and this one more fight that proves that point.

The fact that this fight is taking place now is just destiny, nothing to do with politics or avoidance is just the right time to do this fight and to enjoy to great fighters getting in the ring and showing, who is the best.

I am ready to make history and to prove once more that I am still one of the best fighters in the world.

Face Off: Cotto/Martinez debuts Saturday, May 17 at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT on HBO.

“2 Days: Sergio Martinez” premieres Saturday, May 24 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning series “24/7 Cotto/Martinez” premieres Saturday, May 31 at 11:15 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

Cotto vs. Martinez happens Saturday, June 7 live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.