Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that WBA Super Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto replaced Emanuel Steward with Pedro Luis Diaz for his December 3rd rematch with Antonio Margarito.
“I met Pedro Luis as an amateur several years ago and had the opportunity to share time with him in several international competitions,” Cotto said in a statement. “I was instantly amazed as to the vast boxing technique and conditioning knowledge that he transmitted to his fighters. I feel that together with (strength and conditioning coach) Phil (Landman), Pedro Luis is a perfect fit to bring my best potential for my next fight in December and lead me to victory.”
“It’s kind of surprising. Everything had been in place for me to train him,” Steward told ESPN.com.
“I want to take this opportunity to express my wholehearted gratitude to Emanuel Steward, who I consider a friend and mentor,” Cotto said in his statement. “Because of calendar conflicts and other matters, we were unable to work together for this next fight. He is one of the best trainers I have ever met in boxing and I will be forever appreciative for the two fights we worked together. We have both kept the doors open to maybe join forces in the future if the circumstances and timing are adequate.
“Now I will focus on my training camp. I feel happy and thrilled as ever to commence preparing for December. I will be ready and will win the fight for all of (my fans).”
This is the second high-profile fighter to replace Steward in recent weeks. Former light heavyweight titlist Chad Dawson, unwilling to train in Steward’s Detroit gym for what would have been their second fight together, replaced him with one of his former trainers, John Scully, as he prepares for his Oct. 15 challenge of champion Bernard Hopkins.
Although Dawson made the switch, he also has spoken highly of Steward in recent interviews and television appearances.
“Naturally, I thought about that,” Steward told ESPN.com, when asked about losing two top fighters in such a short period of time. “But each case is an individual case. Dawson wanted to stay closer to home and that was the last thing I was going to deal with. So he got somebody else he was comfortable with. In this case, Miguel wanted to start training already and wanted me there for longer than our unusual five or six weeks together.”
“Phil said to me, ‘Give me two weeks to get his body in shape’ and then I was going to come in for the regular camp of boxing training. I was going this weekend,” Steward said.
