Miguel Cotto: Out of Pacquiao Sweepstakes, Will Face Austin Trout at MSG

Former junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, fresh off a decision loss to Floyd Mayweather in May, has announced he will return to the ring later this year.

Cotto (37-3, 30 KO) will headline a card on December 1st at Madison Square Garden in New York City, facing undefeated WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout. In a statement, first reported by BoxingScene.com, Cotto officially announced the fight earlier today.

Cotto had been previously mentioned, along with Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez, as a potential opponent for Manny Pacquiao in December. It appears as though Cotto tired of waiting for a decision and instead opted to try and regain a piece of the 154 pound title.

Austin Trout (25-0, 14 KO) has held the WBA title for more than a year and a half. He is considered by most observers to be one of the best young fighters at his weight and in all of boxing. But in facing a seasoned veteran like Miguel Cotto, he will be taking a huge step up in opposition.

For Trout, a win would be the biggest of his career. For Cotto, it would add another world championship to an already decorated career.

The fight will be promoted by Miguel Cotto in conjunction with Golden Boy Promotions. Cotto has not signed with a promotional company since his contract with Top Rank expired last year.