By Miguel Rivera
Cuban coach Pedro Diaz, who previously trained WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, says his former fighter - now with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach in his corner - could pull off a big upset of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a rematch.
Mayweather won a twelve round decision over Cotto in their 2012 meeting at junior middleweight. Cotto was trained by Diaz at that time. Cotto was then defeated by Austin Trout and switched trainers to Roach.
Diaz looks up to Roach and says Cotto is now a better overall fighter with Freddie in his corner. Cotto is being mentioned in boxing circles as a backup opponent if discussions for a fight between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao falls apart for May 2nd.
"I think Miguel is an extraordinary fighter. He's very talented. And now I think he has the best corner of the world. Freddie Roach is doing a great job. But Miguel is an extraordinary fighter. The first fight with Mayweather was a very exciting fight. And if he fights him now with Freddie in his corner - who also has a strong team - I think [Miguel] can achieve a superior performance he might even change the outcome [of the first fight]," Diaz told El Vocero.
