Cotto faces heavy fine if found overweight

MANILA, Philippines - Miguel Cotto can’t just go over the limit and get away with it when he climbs the ring against Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

The Filipino pound-for-pound champion said there’s been an agreement that Cotto would shell out a certain amount, not a small one of course, if he goes over the agreed catchweight of 145 lb.

“We just want to make sure. So, there’s going to be a penalty if he goes over,” Pacquiao said without revealing any figure.

It may not be as huge as the $3 million fine set against Oscar dela Hoya for every pound in excess of 147 lb when he fought Pacquiao last December.

But it should be in six digits.

Dela Hoya killed himself making the weight and just to prove that he can do it the Golden Boy even went farther down, weighing in at 145 lb against Pacquiao’s 142. Experts said he was “dead” even before he climbed the ring.

When Pacquiao fought Erik Morales almost three years ago at 130 lb, a fine of $500,000 was also set if the Mexican weighed in from 130.1 to 131 lb, or $1 million if Morales exceeded 131. He came in at 130 flat, and suffered the same fate as Dela Hoya.

The same type of an agreement will be in play between Pacquiao and Cotto, who may have a hard time making 145 since he has fought so many times at 147.

Making 145 lb shouldn’t be any problem for Pacquiao. The other day, with training yet to start, he said he was at 150.

Pacquiao also said while the fight contract does not t call for a rematch with the Puerto Rican, he did not rule out the possibility.     – Abac Cordero