By Mark Vester
In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com's Jose Aguirre, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said that he would like to match WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto against Oscar De La Hoya or WBC titleholder Floyd Mayweather Jr. If he can't land either, there are several fighters on the list of possible opponents.
"The first thing we will do is to see if Oscar [De La Hoya] or Floyd Mayweather Jr. is available. If they are , obviously it's a big fight and he'll fight either one of them. If not, there are great guys out there like Joshia Clottey, like [Antonio] Margarito, and of course like the winner of Kermit Cintron-Paul Williams," Arum said.
The winner of the Dec. 8 Mayweather-Hatton clash would make the perfect opponent for Cotto, but Arum is not confident of either man electing to fight Cotto in the near future.
"Well I think if it's Hatton, he would rather fight De La Hoya. You can't blame him, it's more money and probably an easier fight. But I don't think Hatton can win that fight, Mayweather will win that fight and the idea of Mayweather fighting Cotto seems to me to be farfetched because Floyd ain't fighting anybody who could beat him no less hurt him like Miguel can," Arum said.
Arum feels that Cotto is getting better with each passing fight, becoming a complete fighter and feels that eventually he will be recognized as the best fighter in boxing.
"I think Miguel showed [against Shane Mosley] that he's become a complete fighter. Not only just a great body puncher and a brawler, but a good boxer. He's getting better and better. He hasn't reached his peak yet. And I think before he's finished he will be recognized as the best fighter in boxing. He's becoming the complete package," Arum said.
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