According to Boxrec.com, there is only one fighter from Puerto Rico in the top 25 pound for pound list, and its not Miguel Cotto. It’s a young undefeated fighter by the name of Juan Manuel Lopez(27-0 24KO) who is ranked number 2 in the world at super bantamweight(122lbs), and is considered by Boxrec.com number 17 on it’s pound for pound list. Your average boxing fan has probably never even heard of JML. They’ve heard of Miguel Cotto, possibly Kermit Cintron, and most definitely the Felix Tito Trinidad. So, has Puerto Rico fallen off in the boxing world? If so, maybe a fight between Miguel Cotto and Kermit Cintron could help put PR back on the map?
Not only do I think it would be good for PR, but I think it would be good for boxing. They have a common opponent on their record, one to whom both men lost to, Cintron twice, both times he was knocked out. That opponent would be Antonio Margarito, a great fighter in his own right. Those are the only two losses on Cintron’s record(32-2-1 28KO). That is one of the two losses on Miguel Cotto’s record(34-2 27KO), the other coming at the hands of the pound for pound champ Manny Paquiao, both losses knockouts as well. Their records speak for themselves. I think it could be one of the biggest matches that could be made in 2010. And I also think it would bring a little pride back to the boxing community in PR. Not just pride tho, most importantly recognition. To make things even more interesting, they could hold the fight in San Juan. But with the money that could be made in Vegas, or say Madison Square Garden, that probably wont happen. Even though the fight wouldn’t take place in PR, it would still be great for the country.
Although Cotto is at 147lbs, and Cintron at 154lbs, with the exception of Cintron’s last three fights, he has basically fought his whole career at 147lbs. So weight is not an issue, the fight can be made. Since the departure of Felix Trinidad, neither Kermit Cintron, nor Jaun Manuel Lopez has had to deal with the weight of their country on the shoulders, that man would be Miguel Angel Cotto. And Cotto has done an exceptional job in doing that. If it weren’t for Cotto, I don’t know that your average boxing fan would know that an elite fighter from PR exsisted. With that said, not only would Cintron be taking a little bit of the load off of Cotto’s shoulders, he might just establish himself as an elite fighter from PR to the average boxing fan? And on another note, it may inspire an 8 year old kid to wanna become the next champion from Puerto Rico. It can only do good for not just PR, but boxing also. There is no bad that can come from this fight. The winner could move on to fight the winner of Paquiao and Clottey, while the loser, if Cotto, could rematch Margarito, if Cintron is the loser, maybe he can give Sergio Martinez his well deserved rematch? It is definitely a fight that I would like to see made in 2010. And I also believe there is not another match that could be made to bring as much recognition and pride back to PR.
