Last month, there was a lot of buzz about the possibility of a fight between legends at the presumed end of their respective careers.
Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KO) vs Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KO).
“I was thinking of opponents for Miguel Cotto down the line and I think Marquez would be a perfect opponent,” Roach said via Boxing Scene. “That would be a great fight. When a Puerto Rican and a Mexican get together, it’s always great.”
And Roach is correct. Cotto vs Marquez, on paper, should draw a lot of interest.
A presumed obstacle is their size disparity. Cotto, who tipped the scale at 153.75 for his November bout with Canelo Alvarez, is naturally bigger than Marquez who weighed 141.75 for his most recent bout with Mike Alvarado in 2014. However, although it would be a struggle for Cotto, the pair could institute a 147 lb weight limit.
Weight probably wouldn?t be a big issue, and the fighters are roughly the same height (5?6 ?” to 5?7″). ?I do not rule out this version of Marquez being capable of fighting against Cotto,” Marquez?s trainer, Nacho Beristain, said via Boxing Scene.
“If [Marquez] returns to the ring, I don’t think it is unreasonable to do it with an opponent of that level. It would be a good fight, given their styles.”
Will Cotto vs Marquez happen this year? Here?s why that bout is likely:
1. Cotto: Relevance ? Miguel?s stock had dropped a bit, even prior to his loss to Canelo. A superfight with another legend keeps him relevant and among one of boxing?s top 3 or 4 draws. And a win over Marquez in a high-profile showdown keeps Cotto?s stock high.
2. Cotto: Risk vs Reward ? Miguel would have nearly every conceivable advantage heading into this fight. And Marquez would be a safer opponent than Gennady Golovkin, Tim Bradley, Kell Brook or Erislandy Lara.
3. Both Fighters: Money ? Aside from Manny Pacquiao, who Marquez insists is not an option, the Miguel Cotto fight is JMM’s most lucrative option. And for Cotto, aside from Gennady Golovkin who?s probably too big for Miguel, Marquez is the most lucrative option.
Given the reputation of both fighters and where they are in the respective careers, they won?t ?settle? anything less than high money. Both fighters have large followings and bring a lot to the table and want an opponent who does the same. As a result, Cotto vs Marquez would generate widespread interest among casual fans and the mainstream people who are not boxing fans.
4. Both Fighters: Mexico vs Puerto Rico rivalry ? This needs no explanation and intensifies No. 3, the most significant factor.,
5. Marquez: Losing not bad ? At 42 and coming off of a two year hiatus, Marquez?s legacy wouldn’t take a hit should he lose to a naturally bigger, stronger opponent who is also a legend in his own right. If Marquez lost, the prevailing notion would be: JMM, in the twilight of his career, lost to a future hall of famer who was naturally bigger and stronger. No shame.
Moreover, a loss wouldn?t necessarily derail JMM and he?d likely remain a marketable in the 140lb division.
6. Marquez: An improbable upset, huge ? Should JMM, whose legacy is already solid, defeat Cotto – even the current version of the Puerto Rican ? the Mexican?s subsequent fight would be massive, no matter the opponent.
From a financial standpoint, there?s no reason why Cotto vs Marquez shouldn?t happen.
