Mayorga and Cotto trade verbal barbs

It's not often someone gets under the skin of Miguel Cotto.

Ricardo Mayorga may have done that. Mayorga was his usual wild self at a press conference at the BB King House of Blues on Wednesday  to promote his fight against WBA 154-pound champion Cotto on March 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Need proof, read this.

“I have been watching all of your fights for the past two months, you are punch drunk – you can't take a punch anymore and I will retire him. You and your trainer will fail," Mayorga said.

Oh, don't worry, Mayorga was just getting started.

“This is the first time I will fight someone that is as small as a kid," Mayorga said. "I think my pants are taller than you."

Cotto isn't the type of fighter who gets into a war of words with anyone. In fact, his press conferences are often short, sweet and dull. But he finally answered Mayorga's rash of insults and boasts.

“Welcome to the first press conference where Ricardo Mayorga talks. I am a professional fighter and I know what my job is," Cotto said. "My job is to fight in the ring and make good fights because nobody wins a fight with their mouth."

Cotto wasn't done there. He got irritated when Mayorga interrupted his speech at the podium. He also reminded him of some of his recent fights.

“I didn't interrupt you so don't interrupt me – the door is over there if you want to leave," an angry Cotto said. "With those little pants I beat Shane Mosley. Do you remember him? Shane Mosley?"

For those who don't remember, Mosley scored a 12th-round knockout over Mayorga in 2008.

As for the fight, expect a wild event. But don't look for it to go the distance. In fact, Mayorga, known as a free and wild puncher, will be lucky to make it past the fifth round.