Cortez: Cotto-Canelo Winner is Mayweather's Successor
By Miguel Rivera
Retired referee Joe Cortez, who is now an expert analyst for ESPN and other outlets, say the winner of November's fight between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Miguel Cotto will establish the successor to the recently retired Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Last Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Mayweather announced his retirement following a twelve round decision over Andre Berto.
Cotto-Canelo also takes place in Last Vegas, but at the MGM's sister venue over at the Mandalay Bay. The event is set for November 21.
"If Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez beats Miguel Cotto, it would be Canelo [to succeed Mayweather as the top fighter in boxing]. If the opposite happens, then I think it would be Cotto, although he only has a few fights left. But something we are sure of - they will be quality fights," Cortez told El Vocero. "So, I think Cotto will retire in two years, but he will have six more fights before that."
The successor may not sit in that position for long, because Cortez believes Mayweather will return to the ring next year to break the 49-0 record of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano. Mayweather equaled the record with the win over Berto.
"I think that Floyd Mayweather Jr. drew with Rocky Marciano and now he wants to break that record. I think he will have one of his last [fights] in the new arena [being built] in Las Vegas. Showtime will make another great deal guaranteeing a good sum of money. [The new deal] may not be for six fights, but possibly for two or four more fights," Cortez said.
