Miguel Cotto, Down but not Out

[T-97]

Going into the Antonio Margarito fight Miguel Cotto had huge options waiting for him on the horizon. The entire boxing world expected for Miguel Cotto to call out Floyd Mayweather. Or another possibility was a mega payday fight with the golden boy Oscar De la Hoya. But the humble Cotto has always said he fights whom they put in front of him. This was the case with Antonio Margarito.

“The Battle” lived up to the hype. Unfortunately for Miguel Cotto he came up short in an all out war that for sure is a fight of the year candidate. The loss virtually shot down a De Le Hoya fight due to the Golden Boy's interest in a bout with Manny Pacquiao. It also destroyed the fantasy match-up of Cotto-Mayweather. Who knows if Mayweather would have came out of retirement, but an impressive showing may have done the trick. But Cotto must now move on and look to return with a ****.

Why not look at Ricky Hatton, if he can get past Malignaggi? Hatton has fought at welterweight so it is not uncharted territory for him. Now surely Malignaggi is no push over, he has a title belt and should be a very dangerous opponent who has the tools to beat the 140-pound champ Hatton.

If Hatton manages to win the fight, he should definitely look at luring Cotto in a fight. Beating Paul Malignaggi leaves no other name competition for Hatton. Cotto would be the biggest moneymaker and name for him to fight. With Ricky Hatton’s loyal following and Miguel Cotto’s Puerto Rican fans, why wouldn’t this fight sell in Madison Square Garden the day before the Puerto Rican day parade?

A ten-month layoff should be plenty of time for Cotto to rest physically and mentally. This fight could easily sell on pay per view or better yet, how about HBO step up and put this on for their regular HBO Championship Boxing? The legendary mecca of boxing would be loud and explosive. Many Hatton fans want him to retire after two more fights and what other way to leave the sport than beating Miguel Cotto? For Cotto, if he can beat Ricky Hatton, he is immediately right back in the mix for any mega fights that may loom in the future. This is the perfect bounce back fight for Cotto.

By, Rolando Flores
7/31/2008

http://www.******************.com/articles.php?id=5099

[Sin City]

I vote nay!!

[snoopy360]

I think Cotto is going to get a soft opponent next. I would think they would build his confidence back up and try to get his name recongintion back on track. A loss is still a loss and he'll have to show that the damage he got in the Margarito fight won't be a factor for the rest of his career. Cotto showed alot of heart but I don't think the casual fan will realize that Margarito's chin is the hardest substance on the planet. The tornado gave as good as he got, I hope he never finds out about the things I said I'd do to his lovely wife (am I the only one that thinks she's hot).

[Mr. Ryan]

"Why not look at Ricky Hatton, if he can get past Malignaggi? Hatton has fought at welterweight so it is not uncharted territory for him. Now surely Malignaggi is no push over, he has a title belt and should be a very dangerous opponent who has the tools to beat the 140-pound champ Hatton."

I'll tell you why not, because Hatton's only two fights at 147 showed that he isn't a 147 pound fighter.