By Miguel Rivera
This coming December 2, it will mark the end of an era in boxing as four-division world champion Miguel Cotto (41-5, 33 KOs) will enter the ring for the final time to defend his WBO junior middleweight title against Sadam "World Kid" Ali (25-1, 14 KOs).
The action will take place at Cotto's second home, Madison Square Garden, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Cotto will make his 10th showcase at MSG.
In past bouts at the venue, he defeated the likes of Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi, Zab "Super" Judah, Sugar Shane Mosley, Antonio "El Tornado de Tijuana" Margarito, Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez and others.
Roach was hoping that Cotto would end his career with a bigger fight instead of Ali, who is moving up from the welterweight division and was knocked out in the past by light punching Jessie Vargas.
The problem, says Roach, is that most of the promoters do not get along and it makes it tough to create big fights.
"There were other fights that I liked. He (Cotto) is capable of beating everyone, but unfortunately the boxing promoters do not get along and it hurts the sport," Roach told Carlos Gonzalez.
Regardless, Roach says the Puerto Rican star is training very hard and wants to go out with a big bang.
"He is super motivated. He has been very focused on what he has to do even though he thinks of his family that is in Puerto Rico. He also feels sad about everything that is happening on the island, but the Puerto Ricans are people of great will and he will go forward. We want to finish on a positive note and for that we have to beat this boy (Ali) from New York," Roach said.
"After this fight, I'm sure there will be some tempting offers coming his way, but Miguel is ready to retire to spend time with his family, to be close with his children and help people who need help from the hurricane (Maria) once they return home. I'm glad he's going to retire under his own terms and not because a Boxing Commission, a doctor or another person says so. He is healthy and it will be time to dedicate himself to other matters."