By Jason Kim: If Miguel Cotto doesn’t choose to fight WBC Emeritus champion Sergio Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KO’s), which doesn’t seem likely due to Cotto’s promoter Bob Arum looking to keep Cotto in house with a fight against Antonio Margarito in July, Martinez could wind up fighting Alfredo Angulo (19-1, 16 KO’s) or James Kirkland (26-0, 23 KO’s) next. Dan Rafael at ESPN is reporting that Martinez’s promoter Lou Dibella is exploring the possibilities of Martinez facing Angulo next.
However, the fight would have to take place in Mexico because of the immigration problems Angulo is having right now. He might not be able to get inside the U.S. to fight Martinez. The fight is still doable, though, and it might be the best option that Martinez has for a quick fight against a reasonable well known opponent. A fight against Kirkland might be too soon for Kirkland, because he hasn’t been out of prison long after serving a year for a weapons violation and has only fought one tune-up since he’s been out.
Kirkland fights another tune-up on Friday against Jhon Berrio, and then he has a fight scheduled for next month on April 9th. However, it would be asking a lot of Kirkland to take on the best fighter in the middleweight division by this summer, which is when Martinez plans on fighting again. Kirkland might be too green and rusty to give Martinez much of a fight.
Angulo hasn’t seen action since wiping out Joachim Alcine last year in a 1st round knockout in July. Angulo will be rusty as well, and probably will be badly over-matched against the much quicker Martinez. However, Angulo will at least make it interesting while it lasts because of his constant pressure and good power.
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