I'm not willing to say that Miguel Cotto is back at the elite level of the sport after Saturday's victory over Yuri Foreman. Cotto looked excellent but Foreman is a limited fighter. Still, Cotto functionally saved his career with the performance and remains the most marketable commodity at welter and junior middleweight outside of Floyd and Manny. So what's next for Cotto?
Shane Mosley: This is the fight I would prefer to see. Cotto and Mosley engaged in a terrific fight in 2008, with Cotto winning the narrow decision victory. Both fighters had disappointing losses to the top boxers in the sport, but as Cotto showed on Saturday that was likely more a reflection on the talent of Mayweather and Pacquiao than any deficit in Mosley or Cotto. Both are at similar places in their careers and I still think this is an interesting fight.
Antonio Margarito: This one has the obvious drama of their first fight and the lingering questions over the gloves to recommend it. I have washed my hands with Margarito, but I can't help thinking this one would be very interesting for the morbidly inclined. Perhaps most importantly, both fighters are promoted by Bob Arum, who loves to keep his fights in house. I think this is Cotto's biggest money fight, but one wonders if he would be willing to let Margarito make money off of his name considering their history.
Paul Williams: Williams has made noise about returning to welterweight or he could certainly continue to campaign at junior middleweight. Either way, he would be a heavy favorite over Cotto. Williams would have the huge height advantage and his pace would challenge Cotto, but Williams can be hit, and Cotto might be able to hurt him to the body. I wouldn't recommend this fight for Cotto, but I think he could win; and he's never been afraid of a challenge before.
Andre Berto: If Cotto wants to regain a welterweight belt, Berto seems a likely target. I think Cotto is the better fighter, though Berto has the speed to trouble him. I'm not sure what Cotto really gains from this fight, as Berto doesn't have a ton of fans, but it seems a possible option.
Sergio Martinez: Martinez still hasn't decided whether to defend his middleweight belt or return to junior middleweight. Either way, I hope Cotto stays clear of him. Martinez is bigger and faster and an awful fight for Cotto.
Manny Pacquiao: Bob Arum has mentioned a potential rematch, likely as leverage to use against Floyd Mayweather. I hope it's only talk; even with Manny Steward in his corner I don't have any desire to see Cotto fed to the lions again.
Shane Mosley: This is the fight I would prefer to see. Cotto and Mosley engaged in a terrific fight in 2008, with Cotto winning the narrow decision victory. Both fighters had disappointing losses to the top boxers in the sport, but as Cotto showed on Saturday that was likely more a reflection on the talent of Mayweather and Pacquiao than any deficit in Mosley or Cotto. Both are at similar places in their careers and I still think this is an interesting fight.
Antonio Margarito: This one has the obvious drama of their first fight and the lingering questions over the gloves to recommend it. I have washed my hands with Margarito, but I can't help thinking this one would be very interesting for the morbidly inclined. Perhaps most importantly, both fighters are promoted by Bob Arum, who loves to keep his fights in house. I think this is Cotto's biggest money fight, but one wonders if he would be willing to let Margarito make money off of his name considering their history.
Paul Williams: Williams has made noise about returning to welterweight or he could certainly continue to campaign at junior middleweight. Either way, he would be a heavy favorite over Cotto. Williams would have the huge height advantage and his pace would challenge Cotto, but Williams can be hit, and Cotto might be able to hurt him to the body. I wouldn't recommend this fight for Cotto, but I think he could win; and he's never been afraid of a challenge before.
Andre Berto: If Cotto wants to regain a welterweight belt, Berto seems a likely target. I think Cotto is the better fighter, though Berto has the speed to trouble him. I'm not sure what Cotto really gains from this fight, as Berto doesn't have a ton of fans, but it seems a possible option.
Sergio Martinez: Martinez still hasn't decided whether to defend his middleweight belt or return to junior middleweight. Either way, I hope Cotto stays clear of him. Martinez is bigger and faster and an awful fight for Cotto.
Manny Pacquiao: Bob Arum has mentioned a potential rematch, likely as leverage to use against Floyd Mayweather. I hope it's only talk; even with Manny Steward in his corner I don't have any desire to see Cotto fed to the lions again.
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