By Ryan Burton
Recently I wrote a story on BoxingScene.com that Top Rank is seriously considering undefeated prospect Vanes Martirosyan as the next opponent for WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. Top Rank has said that they would like to get the Puerto Rican star back in the ring this winter.
Freddie Roach, who trains Martirosyan, has been on record saying that he likes the match up between Cotto and his Armenian prospect. After reading the story, Martirosyan contacted BoxingScene and said, " Ryan, I read your story that said I am being considered as a possible opponent for Miguel Cotto. I really hope that fight happens. It has been a dream of mine to fight for a championship and Cotto is a great champion. I hope my promoter Top Rank makes the fight."
When I asked him if he thought he was ready for a fight of that magnitude the 2004 Olympian said, "I know some people think that I'm not ready but they haven't seen me at 100% like Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza have seen me. For that reason, my team and I are sure that in this fight I will show my full potential and the fight will end in a great victory over Cotto. That I promise! I hope Cotto wants make the fight happen as much as I do."
This fight has a great chance to come to fruition. Cotto and Martirosyan both fight under the Top Rank banner so it is very easy fight for them to make. The fact that Martirosyan fought his last fight on the Cotto-Foreman undercard in Yankee Stadium is hardly a coincidence. New York fight fans will be familiar with him and New York is the most likely landing spot for the potential fight.
Another point to consider is that Cotto may not want to take on what is perceived to be a tougher fight versus Sergio Martinez or Paul Williams when a potential rematch against the winner of Pacquiao-Margarito will be waiting for him next year. This would also give Cotto another fight under the tutelage of hall of fame trainer Emanuel Steward to help prepare for the potential rematch which will be considered a mega-fight.
The hottest trainer and conditioning coach team in the business, Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza also would have a lot on the line if this potential fight happens. Many people feel that Pacquiao is the reason that Roach, and to a lesser extent Ariza, have been so successful. If a fighter from Roach's camp not named Pacquiao were to defeat Cotto would Roach's stock soar even higher?
From Top Rank's perspective it is a no lose situation. If Cotto wins and wins impressively then a rematch with either Pacquiao or Margartio is a lot easier to sell. In that scenairo a loss for Martirosyan wouldn't set him back too much because he is only 24 years old and fights in a loaded division. He could get back in the mix after a win or two. If Pacquiao beats Margarito then Martirosyan could face Margarito which would be a big fight in the Los Angeles area.
If Martirosyan were to pull of the upset over Cotto then Top Rank would have a young superstar in the making with potential fights against Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez, Cory Spinks, Alfredo Angulo, Andre Berto and more on the table. Pacquiao would still have the Mayweather option along with the Devon Alexander/Tim Bradley winner if the fight happens in January, and Shane Mosley if he beats Sergio Mora in September.
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