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By Jake Donovan - Miguel Cotto couldn’t ask for a better weekend to attempt to make history for his native Puerto Rico.
A win over World middleweight king Sergio Martinez will make him the first ever from the island to have won major titles in four weight classes, with the two colliding this Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The event has long ago sold out, a reminder of Cotto’s longtime drawing power at the venue, particularly on this time of the year, when his prizefight lands on the eve of the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.
This year’s offering comes in the midst of a perfect storm, with all eyes on three generations of Puerto Rican boxing culture.
Hours before Cotto steps into the ring, the Garden will get a good look at Felix Verdejo, the outstanding lightweight prospect who represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics. One day later, one of the island’s favorite sons, Felix Trinidad will be honored alongside Oscar de la Hoya and Joe Calzaghe as the three retired modern-day boxers gaining enshrinement in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The series of events comes right on time for a nation whose boxing culture is in dire need of a shot in the arm.
From the moment Rocky Martinez lost his 130 lb. title to Mikey Garcia last November, Puerto Rico found itself without a major titlist for the first time in decades. The closest the island can claim to a champion of its own is Danny Garcia, the king of all 140 lb. fighters who is of Puerto Rican descent but born and raised in Philadelphia.
At the time of Martinez’ knockout loss, Cotto was moving towards discussion for a shot at the middleweight crown. The former three division champion was a month removed from a comeback win, stopping Delvin Rodriguez in three rounds last October to halt a two-fight losing streak. The 22 months he went between wins was the longest of an otherwise unforgettable career that – surprisingly from a popularity standpoint – put him no worse than alongside his predecessor, Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad.
Boxing culture runs deep in Puerto Rico, who’ve celebrated their heroes all the way back to when Sixto Escobar claimed the World bantamweight crown in 1934 to become his nation’s first ever world champion. [Click Here To Read More]
A win over World middleweight king Sergio Martinez will make him the first ever from the island to have won major titles in four weight classes, with the two colliding this Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The event has long ago sold out, a reminder of Cotto’s longtime drawing power at the venue, particularly on this time of the year, when his prizefight lands on the eve of the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.
This year’s offering comes in the midst of a perfect storm, with all eyes on three generations of Puerto Rican boxing culture.
Hours before Cotto steps into the ring, the Garden will get a good look at Felix Verdejo, the outstanding lightweight prospect who represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics. One day later, one of the island’s favorite sons, Felix Trinidad will be honored alongside Oscar de la Hoya and Joe Calzaghe as the three retired modern-day boxers gaining enshrinement in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The series of events comes right on time for a nation whose boxing culture is in dire need of a shot in the arm.
From the moment Rocky Martinez lost his 130 lb. title to Mikey Garcia last November, Puerto Rico found itself without a major titlist for the first time in decades. The closest the island can claim to a champion of its own is Danny Garcia, the king of all 140 lb. fighters who is of Puerto Rican descent but born and raised in Philadelphia.
At the time of Martinez’ knockout loss, Cotto was moving towards discussion for a shot at the middleweight crown. The former three division champion was a month removed from a comeback win, stopping Delvin Rodriguez in three rounds last October to halt a two-fight losing streak. The 22 months he went between wins was the longest of an otherwise unforgettable career that – surprisingly from a popularity standpoint – put him no worse than alongside his predecessor, Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad.
Boxing culture runs deep in Puerto Rico, who’ve celebrated their heroes all the way back to when Sixto Escobar claimed the World bantamweight crown in 1934 to become his nation’s first ever world champion. [Click Here To Read More]
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