What’s next for Miguel Cotto?
Miguel Cotto entered the ring against then lineal middleweight champion Sergio Martinez as an underdog. What happened from thereon in has been talked about in a variety of different ways. Some viewed Cotto’s mauling of Martinez as confirmation that the Argentine was on his way out of the sport, with injuries and age catching up to him.
Others suggested that Cotto’s fast start and strategizing with Freddie Roach paved the way to victory. The truth is probably somewhere in-between, though I lean more towards the latter. Cotto’s win was not merely a piece of opportunism, it was a well thought-out fight plan, executed to a tee.
The question now is what’s next for Cotto? The Puerto Rican has fought almost everybody worth mentioning throughout his career, and speculation has linked him with rematches against Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Though reasonable options, they are also both off the table for now, and Cotto could perhaps look to enhance his legacy by defending that middleweight championship against a naturally bigger foe.
Here are three such foes in contention to fight Cotto, why the fights should happen, and what they would produce.
Gennady Golovkin
Golovkin is: one of the hardest pound for pound punchers in the sport, a natural middleweight and in many people’s eyes the number one fighter in the division. He’s coming off his biggest win yet, this time making quick work of Daniel Geale.
Why Cotto should fight him: It’s possibly the only fight that could in any way enhance Cotto’s incredibly strong reputation for fighting anyone. “GGG” has been avoided by many in positions of power and simply by fighting him Cotto would gain respect.
How the fight would pan out: Cotto would keep things tight and no doubt land his fair share. Golovkin is not particularly elusive and is happy to absorb a few to get in punching range. Cotto just wouldn’t be able to hold off the Kazakh’s advances for long enough, and would be stopped within nine rounds.
Saul Alvarez
Alvarez is: a boxing brand with a big fan base in Mexico with the fists to back it up, as well as a top rated junior middleweight having beaten the likes of Austin Trout, Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara .
Why Cotto should fight him: It’s a natural fight for many reasons, and one which nearly already happened. Cotto is the older champion, Alvarez the young challenger. Cotto is Puerto Rican, Alvarez is Mexican. Since when have such combinations not worked in boxing? It would be a clash for the purists too, as both are solid boxer-punchers that like to throw a wide variety of shots.
How the fight would pan out: Alvarez would fill out nicely up at 160 lbs, and would likely be far stronger than Cotto on the inside. That’s not where ‘Canelo’ does his best work though, as he prefers to reside primarily on the outside, picking his shots as opponents come in. It would turn out to be a close, technical contest with spells of exciting brawling allowing Alvarez to walk away the winner.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
Chavez is: an at-times undisciplined, wayward son of a legend, with a name that no doubt played a part in his career ascendancy and a hulking frame that struggles to make 160lbs.
Why Cotto should fight him: Cotto would call the shots here in the ring as well as out of it. Chavez has recently moved up to super middle, and would thus have issues making the middleweight limit. Even if Chavez isn’t drained upon his entry to the ring, his limited style of face-first fighting makes him an open target. Throw in the fact he brings a huge fan base, and Cotto is licking his lips.
How the fight would pan out: Cotto would box and move against the much bigger man, picking his spots in which to engage. With faster hands and feet, a better boxing brain and the versatility to box well going backwards and forwards, Cotto would out-land Chavez throughout the fight. The latter stages may be interesting if Chavez isn’t gassed or out of ideas, but by then it would be too late as Cotto picks up a wide decision win.
