Legendary trainer Freddie Roach has rejected any doubts about Miguel Cotto’s ability, revealing that the 36-year-old’s punches in training leave him urinating blood.

Puerto Rico’s only four-weight World Champion meets James Kirkland on February 25th, live on BoxNation from the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.

Speaking to FightHype earlier this month, Roach said: “I’m glad to see Miguel back in the gym, we’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I feel he’s still a very good fighter, and together we work really well.

“I haven’t worked mitts with him for 13 months but the bodyshots are still unbelievable - I went home last night and peed blood! That pad looks like it protects me somewhat but not fully,” laughed the American.

Cotto has not fought since the unanimous decision loss to Saul Alvarez in November 2015, and a few months ago he told a newspaper back home that he will not box past 2017.

On his return to the ring, he faces the heavy-handed Kirkland, who also has not fought for a long time. In May 2015 he suffered a huge knockout loss at the hands of Canelo, but Roach respects the power that earned Kirkland 28 stoppages from his 32 wins.

“We’re in there with a big puncher. We know not to get caught and exchange with him for too long,” stated Roach. “We can’t stay in the pocket for too long with this guy. If you do, he will hit you back.

“He has knockout power, so we have to respect that. I feel like we’ll break this guy down early in the fight and work the body a lot. Then I think we’ll knock him out in the late rounds,” he added.

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