The battle for Puerto Rico happens tonight. I have to admit, Miguel Cotto (27-0, 22 KOs) picked one tough opponent to fight in his welterweight debut when he signed the contract to face Carlos Quintana (23-0, 18 KOs). The vacant WBA welterweight title is on the line.
Quintana is not only a very strong welterweight with enough boxing skills to give any of the top welterweight trouble. There is no doubt in my mind that Quintana is the toughest opponent of Cotto's career. In his last outing, Quintana dominated undefeated prospect Joel Julio before a stunned HBO audience. Julio was being groomed as the next star in the sport, and Quintana beat him with ease. It was quite a statement to make in his first major television appearance. He also blew away Edwin Cassiani (25-3) in three rounds, who at the time was riding a nine-fight win streak that including a three round TKO stoppage of former welterweight champion Luis Collazo. Quintana was only 15-0 when he walked through Cassiani.
Cotto has seen his share of credible opponents, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricardo Torres, Randall Bailey, DeMarcus Corley, Mohamad Abdulaev, Carlos Maussa and Lovemore N'dou - just to name a few. Nobody can say that Cotto was brought up fighting stiffs. While at 140-pounds, he fought a who's who of ranked junior welterweights. [details]
Quintana is not only a very strong welterweight with enough boxing skills to give any of the top welterweight trouble. There is no doubt in my mind that Quintana is the toughest opponent of Cotto's career. In his last outing, Quintana dominated undefeated prospect Joel Julio before a stunned HBO audience. Julio was being groomed as the next star in the sport, and Quintana beat him with ease. It was quite a statement to make in his first major television appearance. He also blew away Edwin Cassiani (25-3) in three rounds, who at the time was riding a nine-fight win streak that including a three round TKO stoppage of former welterweight champion Luis Collazo. Quintana was only 15-0 when he walked through Cassiani.
Cotto has seen his share of credible opponents, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricardo Torres, Randall Bailey, DeMarcus Corley, Mohamad Abdulaev, Carlos Maussa and Lovemore N'dou - just to name a few. Nobody can say that Cotto was brought up fighting stiffs. While at 140-pounds, he fought a who's who of ranked junior welterweights. [details]
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