Quote Originally Posted by bilbo View Post
There's no way Cotto would mind fighting Gomez, of course he wants him. You may tut and laugh at the idea of fighting a reality TV show fighter but the fact is that they draw crowds. There's a reason why Joe Calzaghe wanted Peter Manfredo and why Jermain Taylor wanted to fight Sergio Mora and that is media attention and dollars.

Trust me Cotto and any other fighter for that matter would MUCH rather face an Alfonso Gomez than a tougher but lesser known fighter.
I don't really buy into the fact that Contender fighters draw significantly bigger crowds than other fighters. The show was at least three years ago, had poor ratings, and anyone who became a "casual" boxing fan because of that show has long since become either an actual boxing fan or has reverted back to someone who doesn't give a shit about boxing. People came to see Calzaghe fight Manfredo because of Calzaghe, maybe a few tuned in to see Manfredo get the shit beat out of him. Calzaghe fought Manfredo apparently to get himself known in the states, was he really any better known after the Manfredo fight? I don't think he was, he gained the most popularity by beating Kessler. He could've fought every single one of the "contenders" and not have got a fraction of the acclaim he's rightfully getting for beating Kessler.
Gomez may be a bit of an exception because he was clearly the most popular fighter on that show, but his current popularity is due mostly to his come forward style and to the fact that by KOing Gatti and beating Tackie he has become a legitimate prospect.
You can't tell me that people would be lining up around the block to buy tickets to see Ishe Smith fight Peter Manfredo.