By Mark Vester
Miguel Cotto is counting down the days until his Saturday ring return at New York's Madison Square Garden. Over the last few years, New York has become Cotto's second home and he's built a large following among the Puerto Rican boxing fans in the area. This time the return is different. Cotto suffered the first loss of his career last July, an eleven round knockout to Antonio Margarito.
He now faces Michael Jennings for the vacant WBO welterweight title. He doesn't think the loss to Margarito has damaged his popularity because of the exciting nature of the fight. He has a lot to prove in the ring and expects a huge show of support from the fans in MSG.
"I know the public is pleased with the work that Miguel Cotto has done during the course of his career. I expect an equal, or greater show of support. My work has been well appreciated. The public knows that we come there to win and we come there to fight," Cotto told El Nuevo Dia.
Trainer/uncle Evangelista Cotto says the training camp was top-notch and they expect no physical issues on Saturday.
"All of the tough work is done. Now we are just looking at making the weight and there shouldn't be any type of problems," Evangelista said.
A win over Jennings is very important to his career. A lot hangs in the balance. A title, redemption and another fight is already planned, tentative for June 13, also at MSG. The June opponent is unknown but Top Rank is planning for a big event on the eve of thr Puerto Rican Day parade.
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