Last night, resurgent, red hot Miguel Cotto unleashed a literal beating, stopping Sergio Martinez in Round 10 via TKO in what was, perhaps, the best performance of the former’s career.
With the win, Cotto improves to 39-4, 32 KOs and becomes the first Puerto Rican boxer to win a world title in four divisions. (Image courtesy of HBO)
Moreover, he is now the real and legitimate lineal middleweight champion, following in the footsteps of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Robinson, Carlos Monzon, Nino Benvenuti, Emile Griffith, Jake LaMotta, Stanley Ketchel and the rest of the middleweight kings who were recognized as “champions” and not merely belt-holders. Despite being dismissed by many as a shot fighter a year and a half ago, Cotto’s stock has never been higher.
So who will Cotto fight next?
Given he’s arguably the hottest fighter in the sport at the moment and not exclusively committed to a promotional entity or cable network, it would seem Miguel has a plethora of lucrative “superfight” options on the table.
A rematch with the sport’s top star, Floyd Mayweather, as well as fights with Canelo Alvarez and the fearsome Gennady Golovkin loom for the Puerto Rican. Cotto versus any of the aforementioned fighters would certainly draw tremendous interest among casual fans and, perhaps, soccer, football and basketball die-hards who watch only 1-2 fights annually.
And yes, as a result, all are potential gold mines for the new RING Magazine middleweight champ.
However, there are some dependencies as a potentially rocky landscape may dramatically alter Cotto’s options and/or circumstances.
1. Floyd Mayweather – Cotto gave ‘Money May’ a literal run for his money (pun not intended) when the stars fought in May 2012. Given Cotto’s resurgence, Mayweather vs Cotto 2 would be a box office smash but Floyd must first win his bout in September to maximize the spoils of a potential rematch with Cotto. Usually impeccable in the ring, Mayweather looked as vulnerable as ever against Marcos Maidana last month.
Appearing lethargic and disinterested, the legend escaped with split but deserved decision win against a fighter seemingly ‘made to order’ for him.
A Mayweather loss in September isn’t out of the cards.
2. Canelo Alvarez – Mayweather’s perceived vulnerability in a Maidana rematch pales in comparison to Alvarez’s next month.
When it was announced Saul “Canelo” Alvarez would face the highly-skilled, exceedingly-awkward Erislandy Lara, many experts insisted it was the wrong fight for the surging Mexican at this moment. Lara represents a ‘clear and present’ danger to Canelo and would be a threat to anyone 154-160 lbs, including Floyd Mayweather and Gennady Golovkin.
Kudos to Canelo and team for taking the risk. Some insist Canelo vs Lara is a pick ’em fight and… it probably is.
3. Gennady Golovkin – In what may be his biggest challenge to date, rising middleweight Gennady Golovkin faces Daniel Geale on July 26. Golovkin is, perhaps, the least at-risk of the three powerbrokers who serve as potential next opponents for the Puerto Rican star.
Geale is a fine fighter but given his style, it’s difficult to see him winning without knocking out the menacing GGG…. And what’s the probably of that?
However, Geale has the style, skills and durability to make any fighter look bad, win or lose. Although it’s hard to imagine Gennady looking bad against nearly anyone, what if Geale does just enough to lower Golovkin’s stock? What if Golovkin vs Geale goes the way of Mayweather vs Maidana?
Would Team Cotto and the fans still be interested in Cotto vs Golovkin? Mayweather, Pacquiao and Cotto are popular enough to survive subpar performances without having their stock greatly diminished. Is GGG, from a marketability standpoint, on that level yet?
Yes, there’s an outside chance the three powerbrokers who currently represent Cotto’s most lucrative options could fizzle.
Best of the Rest
Sergio Martinez – While “a few” Martinez fans and Cotto skeptics would probably like to see a rematch, do you know anyone who would pay to see it?
Next…
Erislandy Lara – If the Cuban trumps Canelo next month, will the victory propel him to superstar/PPV status? Today, and despite Lara’s awesome talent, Cotto vs Lara is, by no means, a PPV fight on the same scale as Cotto vs Canelo. If Lara steamrolls Canelo, perhaps the Cuban will have earned enough ring swagger, at least in the eyes of the public, to generate the interest needed to justify Cotto vs Lara?
But if Lara wins a lackluster decision, don’t expect him to become an attractive next fight option for Cotto.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – Cotto vs Chavez Jr would sell but the former WBC middleweight champ can hardly make the 168 lb weight limit let alone 160.
Peter Quillin – “Who?” If you’re something other than a hardcore fan, that may have been your initial reaction.
Although Cotto vs Quillin would be an interesting and exciting match-up for those who eat, sleep and breathe boxing, the WBO middleweight champion has yet to generate traction among casual fans. Moreover, Cotto gains nothing by fighting Quillin next.
Austin Trout – Although former WBA light middleweight champion Austin Trout stunned the boxing world in December 2012 by mastering a shopworn-looking Cotto, fans aren’t exactly clamoring for a rematch. In April 2013, Trout arguably fought Canelo on even terms despite dropping a decision to the Mexican star. However, he lost a one-sided stinker to Lara last fall.
Given Trout is 0-2 in his last two fights, lacks a crowd-pleasing style, and isn’t a big star, don’t look for a Cotto vs Trout rematch anytime soon.
In Sum Aside from Mayweather, Canelo, Golovkin and the darkhorse, Lara, who else can justify a high stakes PPV showdown with Cotto?
Ishe Smith, Carlos Molina, Jermell Charlo or Vanes Martirosyan? Not quite.
What about Curtis Stevens, Martin Murray or Sam Soliman? Fight fans would respectfully – and disrespectfully – pass.
Good news for Team Cotto… Barring a catastrophe, Mayweather and Canelo are mainstream enough to lose their respective upcoming match-ups yet still face Miguel Cotto soon thereafter in PPV superfights.
The bad news… Interest level in such bouts and subsequent revenue would be highly impacted should Cotto face Floyd or Saul with either of the latter coming off a loss. Although PPV worthy, the strong, prevailing sentiment among doubters would be that Mayweather is shot and Canelo was overrated.
Canelo vs Lara, Golovkin vs Geale and Mayweather vs TBD…. Rest-assured, Team Cotto will be watching with great interest…and pulling for the A-side.
Fans, who would you pay to see Cotto fight next?
