Miguel Cotto Return in 2017 is Best Option, Says Adviser

By Miguel Rivera

Byran Perez, adviser to former four division world champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33KOs), says the 35-year-old is a lock to return in 2017 - confirming the recent comments from Roc Nation President Michael Yormark, who said the Puerto Rican star would not return at the end of this year as planned.

Cotto has been inactive since losing a twelve round unanimous decision last November to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Cotto was initially pegged to return in June, then it was pushed back to the fall and continued to get pushed back. He was slated to return on December 3rd at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Cotto's comeback has been hindered by two factors - HBO has a very limited budget this year and Cotto's handlers have been having a very difficult time securing a respectable opponent for his return.

"We are aware of the plan that is being worked on and the realities of boxing. Miguel will not fight again until 2017. We are looking at all of the scenarios to then determine the best strategy," said Pérez to Carlos Gonzalez.

"We will not do anything hasty. We are going in the direction that is best for Miguel at this stage of his career be. We are just waiting to tell us the finalized date for the following year."

Some of the opponents mentioned that never panned out include Juan Manuel Marquez and James Kirkland, and recently the name that was being mentioned as a possible opponent was former junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson.