The two future Hall of Famers are winding down their careers.
Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto never competed in the same weight class, and thus, weren?t able to add another thrilling chapter to the rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Marquez, now 42, last fought in May 2014 when he dominated Mike Alvarado. Cotto, of course, has been active, and is coming off a loss to Canelo Alvarez in November. With Marquez and Cotto basically one weight class apart, is a fight between the two now possible? JMM is champing at the bit for the challenge.
?I talked to Cotto?s people and told them about my situation and what I want,? Marquez said, via BoxingScene. ?It appears that Cotto wants to fight in June and I want to fight in May because two years of inactivity is a very important factor. I have to get on pace with a fight in May and then why not consider a fight with Cotto in September or October??
Cotto is slated to headline an HBO PPV in June, while Marquez continues to rehab a right knee injury that has kept him on the sideline for almost two years. Following a victory over Sergio Martinez in 2013, Cotto has campaigned in the middleweight division, though usually at the 155-pound catchweight.
Marquez, who claimed titles at 126 pounds, 130, 135 and 140, last competed at 147.
?If they want to do the fight, it would have to be at welterweight and have a clause where he can not rise above 152, 153 pounds the following day,? said Marquez, who knocked out Manny Pacquiao during their fourth meeting in 2012. ?To me that?s an important point. I?m not a natural welterweight and that would help me a lot, because there would be little difference in the weight (on fight night).?
Cotto?s best days, were at 140 and 147. Could he boil down to ?47 from ?54? It?s doubtful. Roach, who actually ignited talks for this matchup (by mistake) believes his charge could trim down to 150, but no lower.
?I was on a Telemundo show, and I knew (Marquez) was on the other end (of the line) so I just jokingly called him out and all of a sudden it exploded everywhere,? Roach recounted to USA TODAY?s Bob Velin last month. ?I was just playing because I didn?t think he was big enough to fight a guy like Cotto and he?s been off for two years.
?It was just more of a joke, but he contacted me through a friend of his in this gym and told me he was interested in a fight, and I told him he needed to talk to (Cotto?s manager) Gaby Penagaricano. ?I was just playing around with him to be honest with you. I know we are going to fight again. We?re looking for a June date right now.?
Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) and Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) may be past their best days, but they?re still two of the biggest stars in the sport, and they still can fight. Marquez, of course, hasn?t fought in almost two years, but he looked razor sharp in his last outing. While Cotto lost to Canelo, he had his moments, and is still one of the best in the world.
And the fighters have a common opponent in Pacquiao, who destroyed Cotto in 2009. Marquez waged war over three razor-thin bouts with the Filipino before the finality of their fourth encounter.
They both also fought Mayweather, with Cotto competitive in defeat, while Marquez was dropped and shut out.
Sign me up for this intriguing matchup, it would be fascinating to see these legends square off, and it would surely do big business.
