Billy Joe Saunders is moving on after his successful conquest of Andy Lee last weekend, winning via decision at the Manchester Arena to become the new WBO world middleweight champion.
According to Boxing News Online, the newly crowned 26-year-old Briton is setting his sights on someone he looked up to, Puerto Rican pug Miguel Cotto.
Saunders bared that he had a brief chat with his manager Frank Warren, and it seems that Cotto’s name was on the list. Though Cotto is nine years older than him, he says that a possible showdown with the Puerto Rican would make him a very happy man, even if the fight would need to take place in the United States.
“That fight would be a dream come true, one I’ve had since I was a young boy,” says Saunders in the exclusive interview. “I used to watch boxing with my dad at age 12 or 13 and Cotto was one we loved to watch, so to be fighting him… I can’t put it into words”.
Cotto lost to Canelo Alvarez last month, losing the lineal WBC middleweight title in the process. Since then, the focus has been more on a possible Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin showdown as Cotto slowly exited in the background.
However, a fight with Saunders could be Cotto’s way back to the top, as he tries to recover from that disappointing loss to the Mexican brawler.
Saunders was actually eyeing either Alvarez or Cotto as his next opponent, as per the Telegraph. Seeing that Alvarez will be tied up with Triple G, he may have to settle for a possible tiff with someone he has admired since he was 12 years old.
"I want Cotto or Canelo (Alvarez). I loved their fights. I want to move up, but I think the Golovkin fight is 18 months away," said Saunders.
Saunders is brimming with confidence after his last win against Lee, though there are concerns on whether he could draw in fans and PPV numbers. While he is the WBO champion, the fact remains that he needs an angle.
With that said, the angle involving his backstory of admiring Cotto could work, but to rack in revenue, the fight must take place in America for now.
Cotto has yet to comment on the possible fight. Saunders is not the only one interested in facing Cotto.
Timothy Bradley Jr. aired his desire to fight the Puerto Rican as well, and such could materialize if his fight with retirement-bound Manny Pacquiao does not become official.
Bradley is the only name left in the shortlisted candidates for Pacquiao’s next opponent though Adrien Broner claims he was contacted by Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s adviser for a possible match.
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