5 Possible Opponents for Miguel Cotto

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With his recent TKO victory over Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto has set himself up for another major payday. There are a number of big-name fighters that would love a shot at Cotto, but who’s a realistic choice for his next foe?

This list examines the rumored potential opponents that might be thrown at Cotto in the near future. These are the fighters that could spell big bucks for Cotto, but he has to be careful to select a matchup he can win.

The fighter at the No. 1 spot in this slideshow has the best chance of being selected as Cotto’s next challenger.

No. 5: Floyd “Money” Mayweather

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Record (W-L-D): 42-0

KO's: 26

Floyd is the least probable fighter to face Cotto on this list. Floyd is possibly the best boxer that the world has seen in the last several decades and he would most likely defeat Cotto. He poses too much of a threat.

However, money talks, and financially this would be the most lucrative opponent for Cotto. The world wants to see Mayweather fight Pacquiao on May 5, but Floyd needs a backup plan if this deal falls through. 

Cotto would make a decent substitute for Mayweather, but would almost certainly lose this fight.

No. 4: Paul “The Punisher” Williams

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Record (W-L-D): 40-2

KO's: 27

A few years ago, a fight with Paul Williams would have seemed very risky, but after a KO loss to Sergio Martinez and a crooked decision victory against Erislandy Lara, Cotto’s chances seem much better.

Paul Williams still has a respectable name in the sport of boxing, but he has been through hard times, and a fight with Cotto would generate some financial revenue for both fighters. 

There’s a slim chance that this fight gets made, but if it does, I believe that Cotto would banish Williams into obscurity alongside Antonio Margarito.

No. 3: Sergio Martinez

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Record (W-L-D): 48-2-2

KO's: 27

There are rumors that a catch-weight bout between Sergio Martinez and Miguel Cotto are in the works, but I think this pairing is highly unlikely. There is too much for both of these fighters to lose.

Cotto looks great fighting at his current weight and trying to add pounds would be a real struggle for him. Martinez is too explosive for Cotto. Cotto would stand no chance against him, which is why I don’t think he would accept this fight.

People would watch this fight because of the names involved, but the outcome would be painfully obvious before the opening bell rings. I can’t see this one happening. 

No. 2: James Kirkland

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Record (W-L-D): 30-1

KO's: 27

Kirkland vs. Cotto would be an excellent fight. These are two action fighters that would put on a bloody show. Kirkland isn’t a huge name in boxing, but he’s on his way.

Another reason why this fight would be intriguing is that there isn’t a clear favorite.  Cotto has experience and boxing skill, but Kirkland has immense power. Kirkland looked very impressive against Alfredo Angulo. He proved that he could take a punch and that he is improving as a boxer. 

James Kirkland is scheduled to fight Carlos Molina in late January, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of a bout between these two. If Kirkland wins he will be in the running to fight Cotto as well as some other big names.

No. 1: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

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Record (W-L-D): 39-0-1

KO's: 29

The most likely candidate to be Miguel Cotto’s next opponent is Saul Alvarez. There is a lot of pressure on Alvarez to fight a legit boxer and a bout with Cotto would quell these demands. Alvarez has taken fights that he knows he can win and that wouldn’t be the case with Cotto.

Alvarez is a very similar fighter to Cotto. He actually looks like a more powerful version of Cotto in his youth. Athletically, Alvarez stacks up nicely against Cotto. He is a more impressive physical specimen than Cotto.

What Alvarez desperately lacks is experience against prime opposition and this to me gives Cotto the advantage. Cotto, once a stalking aggressor, has transformed his game into more of a boxer/puncher. Cotto’s boxing IQ is off the charts. His knowledge of boxing strategy is far more impressive than Alvarez’s.

If these two meet, which I think they will, I would give Cotto the edge. Alvarez is a good fighter, but he isn’t ready for a veteran of Cotto’s skill level. He needs a few more challenging fights before he is ready for the war that Cotto has in store for him.

Regardless if he’s ready or not, Alvarez’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, is looking to make a big-money fight for Canelo. The rumors of a fight between Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. sounds nice, but the fact that they are in different weight classes spells trouble for the reality of this matchup.

Look for a fight between Alvarez and Cotto to be announced sometime within the next four months.