by Cliff Rold - Miguel Cotto has never risen to the same level of popularity achieved by Felix Trinidad. He’s never shown the artistry of Carlos Ortiz or Wilfred Benitez. The sheer carnage left in the wake of Wilfredo Gomez’s assault on Jr. Featherweight remains in its place.
That’s okay.
As preparations are completed for this Saturday’s showdown with IBF Light Middleweight titlist Austin Trout (Showtime, 10 PM EST), the 32-year old can look back on his career and know being Miguel Cotto was good enough.
In the rich history of Puerto Rican boxing, the name Cotto won’t finish at the top.
It’s not out of place in any discussion about the contributions the small island nation has given to the game.
Win or lose against Trout, given the many physical battles he’s been in over the years, it’s not unreasonable to think the end is close. This being boxing, endings come in various shades. Cotto may go on to fight until he’s well past 40. He wouldn’t be the first.
But the best of Cotto? Those moments are growing spare. No one last forever as one of the top guys. Cotto won’t either. There are plenty who think his last best moment has already come, that his brave losing stand to Floyd Mayweather in May of this year was sort of a last hurrah. [
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