ESPN put out this article on who Miguel Cotto's next opponent should be on his return bout in September, they listed some interesting names:
-Victor Ortiz
-Alfredo Angulo
-Peter Quillen
-Robert Guerrero
-Andre Berto
-Ishe Smith
-K9 Bundrage
I will add on the kicker of Canelo Alvarez, they mentioned that they didnt think that fight would happen as there is talk of a Canelo VS Mayweather. But for this discussion lets go ahead and include Canelo Alvarez as a possible opponent.
-I'll go ahead and discard Bundrage as I think Cotto is only interested in fighting bigger names, I could see him fighting Smith to get a belt again and position for a bigger fight in the future but again at this point in his career its smarter to go for bigger paydays.
-What ever you do Miguel, dont go up to meet Peter Quillen. Cotto is not a true 154lb he has no business going up to meet the champion at 160. I think Quillen would be way too big and too strong for the aging Cotto. This fight would not go the distance.
-Alfredo Angulo is an interesting match up. Cotto bring more to the table but Angulo is bigger and has serios KO power. Angulo's last fight was a tough one and showed Angulo maybe starting to slow down. Angulo wouldnt be a huge draw but as the fight is going to be in N.Y. and they will be running the whole P.R. VS Mexico rivalry. It would definitely sell. This is a tough one to call, I can see Angulo winning via Margarito style pressure that could give Cotto flashbacks. On the other hand if Cotto were to box like he did in Margarito/Cotto II I could see him winning the same way. Could be a great fight here.
-Robert Guerrero I think would give Cotto alot of problems. He is taller and while he is still coming up in weight I think would be able to crowd and make it an ugly fight from on the inside. I can see Guerrero winning a fight the same way he beat Berto.
I think Cotto's best chances for victory in an exciting fight are Victor Ortiz & Andre Berto. Cotto can break down Ortiz inside of 9 rounds, after that it may still go the distance but Ortiz would be broken and fighting to survive again the pressure of Miguels body attack. Versus Berto, I think Cotto could actually knock him out. Berto would get softened up to the body and go down from a left hook to the chin.
-Cotto VS Alvarez would be a big money fight. I'd be surprised if Alvarez went to NY but if he did it would show some pretty serious nuts from the young Champion. Cotto would need to box off the back foot the entire fight. While I thnk they are around the same height, Alvarez is obviously the bigger stronger man. He would need it in the first couple of round as I think Cotto tags him with some serios power shots to the chin and body. Cotto's best chance for victory would be in the first 5 rounds when his legs are fresh and his power is at full capacity. Alvarez would need to display the same head movement he showed in the Trout fight to avoid the Power shots from Cotto. Making him miss and attacking to the body will help him as he uses his body to tire out Cotto for the 2nd half of the fight. If Cotto doesnt get a big lead in the first half of the fight with a knockdown or KO's Alvarez completely, the 2nd half of the fight is where it will be lost. If Canelo couldnt knockout Sugar Shane I dont think he is going to knockout Cotto after the 8th round but I do think he will rough him up and win a de decisive majority decision.
Who do you want to see him fight next and why?
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