Miguel Cotto: The Future of a Boxing Star In Question
January 17th, 2010
By Michael Feliciano: Miguel Angel Cotto (34-2, 27 KO) is in talks to face undefeated WBA light middleweight champ Yuri Foreman (28–0, KO 
this coming June continuing his on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade. Cotto would have to move up to 154lb which should be no problem for him. The move would be only natural after spending a substantial amount of time at welter weight and arguably a smart one. If Cotto takes this fight and decides to continue his career, there are a few things to keep in mind if he is to reinvent himself in a new weight division.
Cotto’s recent history is not too stellar either. His fight against Joshua Clottey last June was closer than expected and many believed it could have gone either way. Five months later, Cotto would suffer a second brutal loss at the hands of the pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao; the first being at the hands of the unforgivable Antonio Margarito. Cotto displayed a lack of will in both fights not to be confused with heart which he has in abundance but the will to fight, the will to win. This is something Cotto and his camp will have to get to the bottom if they intend to conquer a new division occupied by tough (and tall) fighters.
Speaking of his training camp, Cotto’s trainer Joe Santiago is highly inexperienced and was a down grade from his uncle Evangelista Cotto. Santiago indicated on a 24/7 episode that he was learning on the job. This is great if you are training inexperienced fighters but not for an elite world champion like Miguel Cotto. Cotto may be comfortable with the less demanding Santiago but the wisdom and tenacity that Evangelista brought to Cotto’s game will go unmatched.
Cotto will now hope to emulate the trajectory of another Puerto Rican great. Felix Trinidad (42-3, 35 KO) who fought at welterweight most of his career, moved up to Jr. Middleweight immediately after taking the title from Oscar De la Hoya and dominated that division. Cotto on the other hand, is essentially being run out of the division and has few options. A bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. at welterweight would be classic and a better match up for him than Pacquiao was considering that Mayweather is not aggressive. However, this fight is highly unlikely due to the viscous beating Cotto took from Pacquiao in November so moving up in weight is a logical move. It also looks like Floyd will be busy taking on Shane Mosley should he beat Andre Berto on January 30.
Sadly, Cotto is also faced with an incomparable obstacle in the death of his father, Miguel Cotto Sr. No one can know how this will affect his boxing. The two were reportedly very close and if the 24/7 episodes are any indication, Don Miguel will be deeply missed. Whatever happens, Cotto can easily be considered an elite boxer who has fought some of the best and even though Foreman is tough, he isn’t exactly a formidable opponent. If the Puerto Rican star can handle some of these issues, he should be able walk through Yuri Foreman and officially declare his arrival to the Jr. Middleweight division.
Tags: 23 Responses to “Miguel Cotto: The Future of a Boxing Star In Question”
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miguel angel cotto is the best fighter in boxing history !!!!
even though he lost he es still the best
@Wit
HGH
@SMITH
“Certain banned substances are only detectable through blood tests and then only 24-48 hrs after they’ve been taken” – name them? can you? the commission should have known these drugs you are talking about.
@SWEETSCI
Don’t know where you got you’re info from but you’re wrong. Some education for you; Certain banned substances are only detectable through blood tests and then only 24-48 hrs after they’ve been taken. In other words, ONLY random blood tests can detect the use of some banned substances.
As for PacMan only agreeing to commission testing, that only means he’s never had anything detected by these tests. However, some Boxers have passed these same tests only to be caught later on.
So, your statement on Manny’s being clean is based on the fact that PacMan has never failed a drugs test, but the tests he’s taken have been passed by other Boxers who WERE cheating?
You need to re-think that one.
@DENNS,
Now ur saying that he’s been cheated. i bet before the Pacquiao fight you have little doubts that he’ll be beating the hell out of Pacquiao. why the sudden change of stance? Man up!!! be gracious on your defeat.
Good article – but I dont think Cotto is being run out of the division at all. We need more fighters like Miguel – willing to fight anybody.
I think if he is going to move up he should do it for the one title fight and possibly move back down to take on the Mosley vs Mayweather winner – depending on how Pacman vs Clottey pans out.
its apt for cotto to move weight! Bravo Miguel Cotto!
Iam rooting for you cotto ,get right back on that horse and do your thing on the inside,and a ko of foreman will prove yours back.
Cotto should stay at 147. He is a strong werlterweight. the 147 division is more commercial than the 154. He should wait for an oportunity to fight there. He has some names he can fight there in my opinion. Berto, Hatton, again with mosley or judah. I think is a mistake if cotto goes 154.
Keep punching peaple, peace.
THIS IS AN EASY FIGHT FOR COTTO
COTTO GOT CHEATED TWICE
NOBODY BEATS HIM STRAIGHT UP
ONLY A FOOL WOULD BELIEVE HE DIDNT GET CHEATED COTTO PUTS
FEAR IN FIGHTERS THAT THEY NEED TO CHEAT TO BEAT HIM AND SINCE BOXING SUCKS FIGHTERS GET AWAY WITH CHEATING
Much better article than the previous one that Mackey wrote. Anyway yes Cotto will never be the same Cotto we saw before Margo. Yes he should take out Foreman with ease. I would like to see him take on the winner of Mosley Berto in yankee Stadium as his reitrement fight. But thats never gonna happen. Sadly for Cotto hes one of those fighters who has fought the best (wheter cheating or not) and came up short. He is not back sadly…hes on his way out and will forever be my favorite boxer.
Cotto is extremerely talanted but lacks proper cornerman.hes young and inexperience to train a elite boxer.that was suppose to be a easy win.cotto control the first.counterpunch in 2round.and be patient.give angles.and learn how to tie up opponents.hes got the skills conserve energy for later championship later rounds.lighten up on the brawler attitude.
Cotto is a true champion ducks no one! We need more people like him in boxing! Come on miguel go for the 3rd weight division!
Good article; some pertinent points!
Boxing needs guys like Miguel Cotto. The huge warrior heart of the man, his unquestionable sportsmanship, and those snazzy, dynamite combinations are exactly the sort of thing that can lift boxing back to the top. I would watch any Cotto fight in any division, and know that I that would not be dissapointed.
Thumbs down to the foolish, bandwaggon-jumping haters who say that Cotto has only lost to cheats. Your dumbness is comparable to the numbness of Mayweather`s hands every time he enters the ring!
cotto is a warrior thats why people give him the title shots. he doesn’t dodge anyone. he does good against fighters like foreman. i dod’nt think pac man is a cheater and cotto loss to a better fighter. if he doesn’t have that fight in the back of his mind or if he can cope with his fathers loss wich he will, i know he will come out victorious because he will go back to his bread and butter wich is left hook to the body. he started to look to thin for 147so i think he will do better at super welterweight. but only if his head is clear from all the drama like the lawsuit and family problems. and i also think he needs a better trainer to be one of the elite fighters again.
Cotto only losses were to 2 cheaters and that is nothing to be ashamed of. The added weight will probably give him more strength and stamina. I see him doing very good in June.
Is he deserving of a title shot? Or is this just top rank policies…jump over anyone in their path…lol..
I am sure puerto ricans will buy it..
How did Cotto get a title shot?
Very much looking forward to June.
I think he should stay at welter too. Hopefully he’ll get rid of his corner of yes-men and muster up some of the old killer instinct. His only two losses are arguably at the hands of two cheaters (Margarito with bricks in his gloves and Pacquiao pumped full of chemicals). Very sad down slope his career is. I’m still a big Cotto fan though, he has the most heart of any current fighter IMO.
@Michael F / Author
Firstly, nice little article. Unlike some writers you made a few interesting points. You mention the confusion between heart and will which is something i also feel is lacking all be it only slightly. Lets face it Manny did a great job against Cotto but the first few rounds should indicate to us that Cotto has indeed got what it takes.Plus he is not old which is something people forget when they see a guy have a few tough battles.
His current trainer Santiago seems to have his heart in the right place but listening to the corner chat during rounds one could tell this chap is still new to the pressure that a serious fight brings. I do feel he didn’t advise Cotto correctly.
Finally if i say anything that matters here it is this: Don Miguel has passed away, leaving his son hurting. Yet Cotto returns to the ring despite the tragedy and steps up to a new division. A man that is willing to pick himself up and keep coming even when his life is in muddy waters deserves his fair amount of respect. Personally i dont think he will allow his recent losses to linger in his mind. A great fighter takes it all in his stride, learns and works to be better. I think a real legend is someone who is open-minded enough to accept that on occasion he might lose and is ready to improve his weaknesses.
Personally i thought he would rest a bit longer what with the passing of his father. However it turns out for Cotto i think he is a man that deserves a little more respect than most seem to think he is due.
Cotto at 5’7″ is small for a superwelter. Foreman would just toy around with him. He should stay at his regular fighting weight and that is 147. Paul, Sergio will be too big for him.
LADIES AND GENTES….MIGUEL COTTO IS BACK …….