By Miguel Rivera
Another name has sprung up for four division champion Miguel Angel Cotto.
The latest name in the mix to fight Cotto is Japanese junior middleweight contender Yoshihiro Kamegai, who is co-promoted by Teiken Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
A source told El Vocero that Kamegai is high on the list of potential opponents to face Cotto on June 24, possibly at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The next fight will be Cotto's last contractual obligation to Roc Nation Sports, who signed him to a three fight promotional deal in 2015.
Kamegai is ranked twelfth by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) at 154. The current champion is Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, who is not expected to fight again at 154. Cotto is ranked first by the sanctioning body.
Meanwhile, Kamegai is an interesting opponent who comes off two tough battles with Jesus Soto Karass. Their first match in April of 2016 in Los Angeles concluded in a split draw, while in the second Kamegai overcame the great offense to Soto Karass to force an eighth-round stoppage by referee Jack Reiss.
The Japanese fighter has a record of 27-3-2 and 23KO's, while Cotto - whose achievements have already placed him as a direct candidate for the Hall of Fame once he hangs up the gloves - is 40-5 and 33 knockouts.
The Puerto Rican has not fought since November 2015, when he suffered a twelve round decision loss to Canelo. His planned return in February was canceled after scheduled opponent James Kirkland withdrew with a fractured nose.
As previously reported, Cotto's next fight is going to be viewed on regular HBO and not on pay-per-view as was the case with the fight in February.
Cotto announced earlier this year that he plans to retire by the end of 2017. He wants to have at least two more fights before calling it a career, with the second outing to take place in the fall.
