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Rumors have been rife that former light middleweight world champs Miguel Cotto and Cornelius Bundrage will look to comeback from respective losses with a bout between the two on September 28 at Barclays Center in the traditional Cotto stronghold of New York, NY.
If the contest comes off, will it be competitive bout that gives opportunity for both to show they can still compete at top level or a one-side drubbing that serves as the send off to certified gatekeeper status for the loser?
Cotto, 37-4 (30), will be hoping to bounce back from two consecutive WBA title bout disappointments, first losing the crown to Floyd Mayweather in 2012 before attempting to regain the belt against Austin Trout this past December.
Bundrage, 32-5 (19), was shockingly upset by career underachiever Ishe Smith in February and at 40 years of age could be engaging in his final spot in the limelight should he lose in non-competitive fashion.
At age 32, Cotto, could be slowing down after 21 world title bouts at light welter, welter and light middle, particularly after absorbing punishing losses to Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito and most recently, Trout.
The Puerto Rican icon would also be at the same disadvantage against Bundrage as he experienced against Trout; being the smaller man facing a career light middle.
Cotto is, however, the more skilled and experienced boxer and is blessed with a sturdy chin; that coupled with Bundrage’s lack of a concussive punch and age disadvantage gives Cotto the edge should this pairing actually occur.
If despite this, Cotto loses, perhaps a return to the welterweight class would extend his career as he wouldn’t be having to face larger opponents each time out and would have a chance at more lucrative matchups against the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley, Adrien Broner, Devon Alexander and Adrien Broner, who all came up, like Cotto, from lower weight classes.
For Bundrage, this fight would be literally for all the marbles and with that kind of motivation, the Detroit native could be inspired to pull off the upsets of 2010-2012 that saw him topple Cory Spinks on two occasions.
