By Mark Vester
According to a recent interview with Spanish publication Endi, WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (31-0, 25KOs) is willing to face Antonio Margarito for the right price. After his decision of Shane Mosley in Madison Square Garden, Cotto said that a fight with him was out of the question, citing that Margarito turned him down a few months ago to make mandatory defense against Paul Williams, which Margarito lost.
Now that a few days have passed, Cotto appears to have changed his position and says that he will take a fight with Margarito if the right kind of money is offered. Margarito and Cotto are both promoted by Top Rank. Cotto wants to dupliacte 2007 by fighting three times next year, targeting bouts for March, June and November. If there are not enough big bouts for the year, he may end up fighting twice.
Although a Margarito bout is possible, Cotto would prefer to face Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Ricky Hatton. De La Hoya has a target of May 3 for his return, possibly in Dodgers Stadium. Without hesitation, Cotto said that he would face De La Hoya in Los Angeles.
Cotto's trainer and uncle, Evangelista Cotto, said they are in the hunt for a very lucractive bout against a top name, but are willing to face Margarito for the right money - if Cotto is unable to land a fight with De La Hoya, Mayweather or Hatton.
"For us to accept a fight with Margarito, there they have to be some very favorable conditions. Margarito is not an option at this time for economic reasons, but for a fight against him to be accepted, there they have to be some very good conditions," said Evangelista.
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