What does Cotto stand to gain from fighting Foreman?
February 16th, 2010
By Jason Kim: On June 12th, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KO’s) will be facing World Boxing Association light middleweight champion Yuri Foreman (28-0, 8 KO’s) in a fight that pits the well known Cotto against Foreman, a fighter that few people aside from hardcore boxing fans have ever heard of. Both Cotto and Foreman fight for Top Rank promotions. Cotto, 29, seems to be on the way down on his career after losing to Antonio Margarito and recently to Manny Pacquiao in knockout losses. Cotto also took a lot of punishment in a 12 round split decision win over Joshua Clottey in 2009.
Why Cotto would choose a fighter like Foreman is unknown. It’s a fight that if you were to put both fighters on a scale that weighs star power, Cotto’s end would be to the floor while the obscure Foreman’s end would be way up in the air. As such, Cotto is doing Foreman a huge favor in taking this fight and taking a calculated risk by making his fight.
Cotto, who has taken a lot of bad punishment in three of his fights in the past two year years, will be moving up in weight to take on Foreman for his title. But what is to be gained from this if the title that Cotto gets won’t have the desired results of winning Cotto any new respect among boxing fans. They will likely see a win over Foreman as I do.
In other words, Cotto looking for a vulnerable opponent in a different weight class to pick up a title against. If Cotto wanted to really accomplish something, he would stay at welterweight and try to go after one of the other champions like WBC title holder Andre Berto or IBF champion Jan Zaveck. With a win over either one of those fighters, Cotto would then use that belt as leverage for a unification bout against WBO champion Manny Pacquiao or the WBA belt holder, which is currently held by Shane Mosley.
Those seem like much more appealing fights than going after Foreman. It’s hard to imagine what Cotto sees in going after Foreman. Is this Cotto’s idea to take this fight? He may be sorry later for taking this fight, because Foreman is a tough fighter to beat, but I just don’t see the point in it. Where is the value for Cotto in taking this bout? It just seems like a poor and risky fight for Cotto, one that could end with him losing yet again.
Tags: 19 Responses to “What does Cotto stand to gain from fighting Foreman?”
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To Eli,
I agree. Daniel Santos was a weak opponent who hardly fought in the last couple years. He’s not a busy fighter. And his fight with Yuri was a waste, Yuri may have won but how come he couldn’t KO an overweight, slow, and somewhat rusty fighter? Cotto will kick the living crap out of Yuri. Yuri is a weak champion in my eyes. He’s boring too and Cotto will keep him busy.
Jason Kim your right im a cotto fan but now ????
@ saad .. hey buddy, how’s it going?? i’m glad we see eye to eye about the whole pics thing. to my understanding i just think the writers on this site or bias and cruel, not all, but some, and when they got it out for someone they literally try to crucify them. regardless of what they think I can care less. cotto will always be my # 1 . later dude.
@ the professor.. dude, did you see yuri foremans last fight? he fought a tired, sluggish, and fat daniel santos and looked horrible againist him. i do agree that maybe cotto should fight berto instead of foreman but maybe cotto feels more comfortable making the weight of 154 for now. cotto is a 2 time world champ and doesn’t need to chase anyone to make a name for himself. his legacy has been tatooed in our minds forever. I think cotto is going to box the socks off of yuri come fight night, and if berto or whoever want a piece of him they know where to find him. later.
cotto will just keep doing what he loves, fighting, thats what he gains. let him win this one and a few more and we are adding him to the mega fight mix all over again.
These people (commentators) who do not have respect to Cotto are also the same people who admire their pathetic fighter (Mayweather) who deserves no single respect from me and other viewers. Jee. Be respectful.
I have so much respect for Cotto. He is a humble man and one of the greatest fighter. Mayweather is 3rd on my list.
Bob Arum is the new Don King and thats big business.
Last time Cotto lost he came back in a title fight against a lesser known apponent(Jennings). It was the right thing to do and led to much bigger and very entertaining fights. Same situation here, Cotto (1 of few true warriors left) is confident of stepping up and becoming a 3 weight world champ, and IMO will be looking to defend that belt against Williams or Mayweather @154. Best of luck to him, he deserves nothing but respect for never saying no to a challenge
I think Cotto has earned the right to fight who ever he wants when he wants. He is ready to write a new chapter in his career and it starts with Foreman. Why should he worry about what you think, he’s already proven himself in the ring by ducking no one. So you can show a beat up pic of Cotto all you want and most will see the true warrior he really is.
Cotto is losing his mind. Why fight Yuri and take another loss and fight someone like Berto or Jan for the title now, Berto needs a opponent and Cotto is the man for that fight. Cotto vs.Berto would be a good fight to see hand down, not no Yuri vs. Cotto. Foreman is a good fight and he we would be beat Cotto hands down. Foreman is the big fighter and he’s no push over.
Cotto needs more respect that this. For a man to constantly fight the best in the business when the so-called best have made a career out of ducking good opposition is the pinnacle of courage, sportsmanship and spirit.
Foreman is undefeated btw. for someone to come off a 12 round TKO against the best and then fight an undefeated fighter is beyond impressive and courageous.
He will gain a light middleweight WBA title you dumbo
3 time division champ. That’s a good reason for me. Besides after all the great fights he has given us. Why not let him go after a belt in a 3rd weight division. I’m tired of hearing all these negatives over someone that has shown heart in all his fights. I agree with you alex.
I think Arum setting Cotto up to secure a WBA belt at 154lbs. so if the Pac vs PBF negotiations fall through again he can set the re-match for Cotto and position Pac for a 8th title. That fight would probably happen in MSG and would sell and evryone involved will get well paid. Here’s the scenario to sell the fight different weight class Cotto wont be weight drained. Arum is a mad scientist lets see what concessions they make Cotto do now, stay tuned,lol!
I want to see Cotto take the light middeweight belt from Foreman who IMO, is weak champion. Also I think there is a reason why Arum put Cotto to take Foreman, Arum wants Cotto to secure the WBO light middleweight belt and not let Floyd come in and try to muscle his way in and challenge Foreman who is a weaker champion. If Floyd would have fought Foreman, it would be a lopsided fight for Floyd. It would be easy pickens. But Cotto is a different animal, he’s tougher and more offensive minded and I feel Floyd will be more hesistant to challenge Cotto for the belt. IDK….it is my gut feeling Arum set it up this way.
I see your point that Cotto could have stayed in the Division longer to fight other Champions and that he will not gain a lot of value by fighting Foreman who is a very tricky fighter but I do not see the point in stating the Cotto will not win anymore boxing fans. Is there any more boxing fans out there that are not huge Cotto fans? Probably not. Cotto is a true blood and guts warrior that leaves everything in the ring FOR HIS FANS. Cotto has fought just about every big name out there and never backed down from anyone so if he wants to fight Foreman who’s maybe less of a challenge than some other fighters out there and earn a title at a third weight class than let him. Cotto is a people’s champ and he does not have anything to prove to you or anyone else. My dad always taught me to shut my mouth if I have nothing good to say. I encourage you to the same.
Cotto can retire a champ, Yuri foreman doesnt hit very hard, and cotto is an underated boxer. I dont think cotto wants anything to do with manny pacquiao. he might also get a break if mosely beats mayweather, since having beat mosely, cotto may think he has a chance against him again. But at this point, I think mosely if he were to win would prefer to fight pacquiao.
It’s Arums plan for the future for PAC on his 7th world division title