By Ryan Burton
On February 25th former four-division champion Miguel Cotto (40-5) will return to the ring for the first time in 15 months when he faces James Kirkland (32-2) in Frisco, Texas. The fight will be distributed by HBO pay-per-view.
Cotto has stated to the press that 2017 will likely be his last year in boxing and he is looking for a big fight to put the finishing touches on his surefire Hall of Fame career. The bout will be contested at a catchweight of 153 pounds as Cotto makes a return to the super welterweight division.
One fighter who is very interested in the outcome is IBF super welterweight champion Jermall Charlo (25-0). The Texas native just fought a few weeks ago when he stopped unbeaten challenger Julian Williams in five rounds.
Making 154 pounds isn't easy for the 6' tall Charlo and he admits that a move to the middleweight division will happen in the near future. However one fighter he would stay at super welterweight to face is Cotto.
"I would stay for a Cotto fight. Cotto is one of the best in the world and that is all I want. I want to fight the best in the world. I am going to do my homework and see who is the best and that is who I want to fight," Charlo told BoxingScene.com.
"I want to fight the best out there. This last fight I fought another undefeated guy meaning that I didn't care about my '0'. I care about my legacy and will take a challenge from any fighter."
Charlo fought twice in 2016, defeating Williams and former champion Austin Trout. He believes he is one of the best fighters in the world and wants the chance to prove his worth against the sport's elite.
"Listen, all I can do is keep winning and keep fighting and keep claiming I am the best in the world. Just stick me in with the best in the world and see what I can come out with. I am not here to call somebody out and cause commotion. I have been a fighter all my life so put me in with the best so I can see how good I am," said Charlo.
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