Nothing much has been heard from the end of Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto as of late. He has been on sabbatical since losing via decision to Canelo “Saul” Alvarez, a fight which he says he should have won.
All that is, of course, moot and academic so the best thing that Cotto can do right now is rise from the ashes and rebound from that stinging setback.
With Cotto still not back to his senses, his trainer (Freddie Roach) is apparently planning ahead. And surprisingly, the legendary trainer who also handles retirement-bound Manny Pacquiao has brought up a familiar name – Juan Manuel Marquez via boxingscene.com.
“I was thinking of opponents for Miguel Cotto down the line and I think [Marquez] would be a perfect [opponent]. That would be a great fight. When a Puerto Rican and a Mexican get together it's always great,” says Roach in an interview with Izquierdazo.com.
Known as “El Dinamita”, the 42-year old Mexican brawler hasn’t been in the ring since 2014. Knee problems have kept him from returning to action and some went as far as speculating that he has retired.
Marquez last fought Mike Alvarado in May, 2014, winning it via unanimous decision at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
So with that in mind, why would Roach want Marquez for Cotto?
While the matchup does seem enticing, critics feel it is more about Roach than Cotto. Everyone knows that the last time Roach and Marquez faced-off was in December, 2012 when “El Dinamita” knocked out Pacquiao in the sixth round at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Apparently, Roach is not sold on accepting defeat, a reason why Pacquiao had been angling at a possible fifth fight.
With Pacquiao set to hang it up after April, the only way for Roach to get another chance at Marquez is through another fighter, hence Cotto.
However, is Roach in pursuit of something realistic?
Marquez is nearing the two-year mark of being inactive though the Mexican boxer claims he has not officially retired.
Cotto vs. Marquez would be neat and could happen. But will it take place this year?
The answer to that could eventually depend on the actual state of Marquez. He needs to settle once and for all if he still plans to fight or retire.
If not Roach will have to look for other opponents. Timothy Bradley Jr., Billy Joe Saunders and even Liam Smith have expressed interest in facing Cotto so the Puerto Rican is obviously not running low on possible opponents.
Before all that, Cotto needs to regain his senses and recall that hunger to step back into the ring.