By T.B: According to ESPN’s Dan Rafael Hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach has no problem with a Miguel Cotto vs Gennady “GGG” Golovkin fight. This coming on the heels of GGG’s “calling out” of Cotto after his KO win over game but completely out classed Daniel Geale.
Roach was in NY with his fighter Glen Tapia for an undercard bout which ended up getting canceled. Instead of packing up and heading home Roach turned the trip into a “scouting” trip.
Roach was in the crowd at Madison Square Garden and came away impressed but not so impressed that he was scared off a possible Cotto vs GGG fight in the future. Roach said a GGG fight is second on his list behind a proposed super fight with Canelo Alvarez which would take place on Cinco De Mayo weekend 2015. When asked Roach said,” I like the Canelo fight better, but I like a fight with GGG second”. I’m assuming By second Roach means as an alternative to Canelo if negotiations fall through, or second as in after the Canelo fight.
Either way, if Roach is being genuine,then this is good news for boxing fans. Regardless of your likes or dislikes of each fighter you have to admit it’s an intriguing fight. Cotto is an old savvy veteran who’s somehow found the fountain of youth, and GGG is boxings new “boogie man” with tremendous power who’s itching to run with the big boys. Roach did say that any fight between the two would have to be around the 154-155 weight limit but GGG’s handlers are on record saying 154 is fine with them as long as it’s for a “major” fight. I’d say a fight with Cotto counts as a “major” fight so hopefully after the Canelo fight it can get done.
Roach also talked about how impressed he was with GGG ability to cut off the ring and his overall ring generalship. “He knows how to cut the ring off. I am more impressed with that than anything because it’s something not enough fighters know how to do. He has been taught well. I have Cotto doing that well too”, said Roach.
Exciting fights like Cotto vs GGG or Cotto vs Canelo or even Canelo vs GGG ( that’s a much better fight …IMO..) are what boxing needs right now. To many fights where the outcome is basically known are being made so just talking about fights involving these names is a good thing.
So is Roach truly excited about a possible matchup between Cotto and GGG that could happen after the Canelo fight? Or is he simply negotiating with Canelo through the media? Could be Roachs way of letting Canelo know that he isn’t the only “big name” option out there for Cotto so play nice when it comes time to iron out the details. IMO nothing is going to stop Cotto vs Canelo come next May. It’s simply to big of a fight with to much money to gain. It’s a fight that could break all PPV records along with all gait records so not even an upset loss for either guy shuts down there Cinco De Mayo showdown.
But come next Sept,Nov, or even Dec we may just get a GGG VS Cotto. GGG may get his big shot / it moment after all, he just needs to keep knocking guys out and be ready when Cotto calls. As impressive as GGG has been I can’t see anyone beating him anytime soon. For the record, IMO, GGG knocks out Cotto with in 10 rounds.
Comments are closed.