By Jorge Lugo: It is being reported that Miguel Cotto will retire after two more fights. If that is true, he would be retiring by the age of 30. Looking back now, I can say to date that Cotto’s greatest career win came when he fought Shane Mosley. But looking ahead, and if he does retire after two more fights. Can Miguel Cotto ever be great again? I believe depending on who he fights, that answer would be a resounding YES!

If I was Miguel Cotto I would think long and hard about who he fights next. There are some good fighters for him in the welterweight division but few for him and his legacy. If Shane Mosley beats Berto I would advise Cotto NOT to face him since he already beat Mosley. Although a Mosley-Cotto rematch is deserving we are talking about legacy and I believe a rematch with Mosley is a lose-lose for Cotto. He already won against Mosley convincingly and I feel he would be putting his careers best win to a even split tie.

Truth is, if I was anywhere near Cotto’s camp the first fight I would advise him to take his with Antonio Margarito. Since Margarito has a damaged reputation and lost all credibility, Cotto would have reasonable argument for a rematch. I am aware that Cotto has shot down the idea many times but this fight can actually restore Cotto and what he stands for in his career. Let’s face it, Pacquiao whooped Cotto! But Pacquiao whooped Cotto cause he was the legit better fighter that night. I think now that the fight is in the history books Cotto can be proud of how he fought and lost cause he showed great dignity in that fight. But just imagine years from now, if Cotto never fights Margarito again? EVERYONE will say that Margarito was the one that damaged Cotto permanently. They’ll say he was never the same after that fight. Does Cotto what to be remembered in that light?

Just picture the hype and real-life angle a Cotto-Margarito II would be! This fight would greatly help Cotto get good pay too as he can easily get a 75-25 split. But more importantly, what if Cotto wins this fight? Can you imagine how it would be? I’m not gonna lie, I’d probably cry! With all seriousness, if he was to win. He would have taken all demons out of post Margarito talks as well as regain momentum in his stake for being one of the top welterweights of his time. Make no mistake the legacy of Miguel Cotto needs a rematch with Antonio Margarito!

So if Cotto was to remtach Margarito for his first fight in 2010 what would be the best way for him to sail off into the sunset for his 2nd fight? There are a few good options here. If fate doesn’t favor Mosley in Jan than he doesn’t have a stake in fighting the Pacquiao vs Mayweather winner. So if that happens who is left to fight? If Pacquiao wins I highly doubt he would fight Cotto(Because of obvious reasons). But, what if Mayweather wins? If you think about it, you’ll see that a Mayweather-Cotto fight wouldn’t be that bad of an idea post Cotto-Margarito II. Although this does depend on Cotto’s performance and win against Antonio, I am confident that if Cotto was to win that fight, he would be a liable option for Floyd Mayweather Jr post Pacquiao. Can you imagine how Cotto could kill two birds with one stone if he was to beat Mayweather Jr? He would be able to put his defeat to Pacquiao to rest as he would have shown that styles make fights and he is still a great fighter! O and it’s also not a bad look to have beaten Mayweather.

If I was Cotto I would have my eyes glued on boxing and boxing news the next couple of weeks as the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight may not even happen. Who knows, maybe Mayweather Jr. will challenge Cotto if he doesnt fight Manny. My point here is Cotto and Cotto’s fans shouldn’t get discouraged with Cotto’s recent loss to Pacquiao. What Cotto needs to do now is pick himself off the floor and get focused on what his boxing career and legacy really mean to him. Everything Cotto has worked for in boxing is up to him at this point. If it’s 2 more fights he should look deep into what he wants out of boxing. Will Miguel Cotto ever be great again? Ask Miguel Cotto.