By Mark Vester
Former two-division champion Miguel Cotto is six months away from his ring return. It was a big year of ups and downs for Cotto. He made a record amount of money [for his career] in 2009. Cotto beat Michael Jennings in February for the WBO title, retained it in June with a close decision over Joshua Clottey and then got stopped by Manny Pacquiao in November. Prior to the fight with Clottey, he was involved in a brawl with ex-trainer/uncle Evangelista Cotto. His uncle has since filed a lawsuit seeking millions of dollars. Not the only trouble in Cotto's life, as now a former female employee has filed a sexual harrasment suit naming Cotto and several of his family members.
Despite the setbacks, Cotto says 2009 was a good year. He says 2010 will be his final year in the sport. He plans to fight two or three more times before calling it a career.
"[2009 was] very good. Besides the outcome of my fight in November, I am very happy with what I've done during the year and I'm ready to start working on my final year in boxing," Cotto said to Primera Hora.
Cotto's return will happen in June around the time of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Top Rank's Bob Arum wants his return in New York City's Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium. One possible option being discussed is a jump to junior middleweight to face unbeaten WBA champion Yuri Foreman. He won the title from Daniel Santos on the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard. The brand new champ is a New York native under the same promotional banner as Cotto. Top Rank likes the fight. Cotto is open to making it.
"I will make a fight in the summer and depending on how I do, there will be more. Still, we have not had any conversations with Top Rank. We're hoping that once the Christmas period goes by, we could then sit down and talk, "said Cotto. "[Moving up in weight], these are things that we are considering. I'm open to everything."
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