Miguel Cotto: The Future of a Boxing Star In Question

By Boxing News - 01/17/2010 - Comments

Image: Miguel Cotto: The Future of a Boxing Star In QuestionBy Michael Feliciano: Miguel Angel Cotto (34-2, 27 KO) is in talks to face undefeated WBA light middleweight champ Yuri Foreman (28–0, KO 8) 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.

The Pacquiao beat down is still fresh in everyone’s mind but it goes without saying that it must become a distant memory for Cotto once he encounters the hungry Foreman. Cotto’s skill and talent alone should be enough to secure a clean victory against the less experienced Foreman who is coming off an unimpressive victory over the out-of-shape and older Daniel Santos over 12 long, dreary rounds. Both fighters were sloppy and Foreman failed to capitalize on Santos’ rustiness from a year and a half layoff from the sport. But Foreman did display heart

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.



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