Miguel Cotto should fight Kirkland next, or rematch Austin Trout

By Boxing News - 12/04/2012 - Comments

Image: Miguel Cotto should fight Kirkland next, or rematch Austin TroutBy Jorge Lugo: I find it funny that everyone is jumping on the “Cotto should retire” campaign. Truthfully, after watching Cotto vs. Trout three time’s it’s clear that the first six rds were even, and that Trout won because he pulled it out in the 2nd half (with Cotto still putting out an effort but not enough). The sad thing is, nowadays, everyone assumes just cause a fighter loses he should retire.

Newsflash though, this is boxing and a loss should not mean the end of Cotto, especially since he did put a good fight against a fighter that no one wanted a piece of prior! If I was Cotto I would either request an immediate rematch or fight James Kirkland.

Miguel Cotto has a rematch clause with Austin Trout so a rematch wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Say what you want about Cotto, but if he use’s his jab, comes in condition (this has always been Cotto’s main flaw) I really feel he can beat Trout. Trout is a good boxer but he does keep his right hand low and a smart Cotto could use his jab over Trout’s to work his way to the inside instead of just rushing in like he did in there first fight.

The 2nd option, is James Kirkland, I think this fight would sell well and would be dangerous for the first few rds for Cotto. Being that Cotto and Kirkland are sluggers and Cotto is coming off a loss, a win over Kirkland would re-establish himself as a top contender in the Jr Middleweight division (putting him right back in line for either the winner of Trout-Canelo or Vanes-Martirosyan).

Make no mistake Cotto’s loss was a bit of heartbreaker, but it def was good for boxing in the Jr. Middleweight division because it makes things more competitive and interesting. But, for everybody to simply right off Cotto after a competitive loss to a good hungry boxer that no one ever really wanted to fight before is a far stretch of imagination. Miguel Cotto is still capable of winning against all the fighters in his division, even against Austin Trout. True boxing fans would be silly to write him off yet!



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