Last night the legendary Yankee Stadium in New York made it’s historic return as a boxing mecca.
When Yuri Foreman (28-1, 8 KO’s) of Brooklyn was stopped by Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KO’s), both the welterweight and junior welterweight divisions had their “pecking orders” established.
Depending on whether Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (41-0, 25 KO’s) changes his mind or remains true to his latest statements regarding “taking a couple years off” from boxing, Miguel Cotto has backed himself into a corner that has nothing but sharp edges.
Immediately following his de-throning of the one-legged Foreman, Cotto claims he only wants to fight “big names” and one has to wonder if he honestly believes that statement or he’s just posturing to make as much money as possible before retiring?
The junior middle/light middleweight division has some pretty big names that, should Cotto attempt to take on any, would make his stay as WBA World Light Middleweight Champion very brief.
The first name that comes to mind is Paul “The Punisher” Williams (39-1, 27 KO’s) who at 6’1″ and just 28 years-old, had to be ecstatic to hear Cotto’s rather odd remarks.
The beating Miguel Cotto took at the hands of Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KO’s) would be nothing compared to what the bigger, taller, and harder hitting Williams would do to him.
35 year-old Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KO’s), 38 year-old Ronald “Winky” Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s), and the 5’11”, 32 year-old Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KO’s) would all be willing to add or drop pounds in order to appease Cotto.
All three of these fighters are far too dangeous for Cotto to go after in his asking for “big names” to fight.
Still, there are options that would enable Miguel Cotto to hold the title for a brief moment before relinquishing the title to a more deserved 154 pounder, and return to the welterweight division where he belongs, at least from a purely physical aspect.
Denver, Colorado resident Verno Phillips (42-11-1, 21 KO’s) who at 40 years-old is very much available as is 32 year-old Cory Spinks (37-5, 11 KO’s) who both probably pose as good a tune-up matchup as any around and could allow Cotto a little breathing room.
Manny Pacquiao may now have an interesting opportunity at securing another World Championship.
After declining the offer to fight Foreman earlier (citing the distinct height advantage Foreman would have enjoyed) Cotto may now look attractive to Pacquiao and Bob Arum.
At the higher weight, Cotto may feel more comfortable in a rematch with Pacquiao but would the public buy into that rematch when the rightful and deserved immediate serious challenger should be Paul Williams?
These probable opponents will all fall to the rear if Mayweather, Jr. does his usual “un-retiring act” as there may never be a better opportunity for him to return to the ring, get another world title, and become an even bigger thorn in the side of Manny Pacquiao by taking on Miguel Cotto.
There presently is no “bigger fight” out there than Cotto vs Mayweather, Jr.
As has become the customary question whenever Floyd Mayweather’s name comes up in a possible bout,,,”How long are we going to have to wait Floyd?”
