By Miguel Rivera

The return of former four division world champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33KOs) is being, targeted for a date in February, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, according to Hector Soto of Miguel Cotto Promotions.

A few days ago, Roc Nation President Michael Yormark confirmed that the Puerto Rican star would not return at the end of this year as planned.

Cotto has been inactive since losing a twelve round unanimous decision last November to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Cotto was initially pegged to return in June, then it was pushed back to the fall and continued to get pushed back. He was slated to return on December 3rd in New York City.

Cotto's comeback has been hindered by two factors - HBO has a very limited budget this year and Cotto's handlers have been having a very difficult time securing a respectable opponent for his return.

"The reality is that Miguel will fight in early 2017. We are evaluating the options for him to fight in the first quarter," commented Soto to El Vocero. "The Barclays in New York is the first option."

Soto indicates that Cotto is already training and getting his body in order for a planned return early next year.

In early 2014, the Puerto Rican boxer signed a very lucrative three fight agreement with Roc Nation Sports. The agreement was reportedly a $50 million three fight deal, with some of that sum going to fights, co-promoted boxing events, clothing lines and concerts in Puerto Rico. The upcoming fight will be the last bout in that deal.