Who will Cotto face next?

Who will Cotto face next?

Miguel Cotto has two very appealing offers.

In one hand, is an offer from Golden Boy Promotions to fight boxing’s newest star, Canelo Alvarez, for a sum exceeding $10 million with other potential options.

In the other hand, is a less lucrative, non-disclosed offer to face RING Magazine and WBC Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez.  If victorious, Cotto would become the first Puerto Rican four-division champion.

Canelo is scheduled to meet with Golden Boy Promotions this week in hopes of naming an opponent for his March 8th bout in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the event Cotto declines Golden Boy’s offer, Canelo will look at other potential opponents such as newly crowned IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Carlos Molina, Alfredo Angulo or possibly the Erislandy Lara-Austin Trout winner.

Sergio Martinez also expects to secure an opponent by early December. The World Boxing Council has named Marco Antonio Rubio as the Argentinean’s mandatory challenger. In the event, Cotto declines the Martinez offer; Rubio would be the next likely choice for ‘Maravilla.’

Monetarily, the Canelo/Golden Boy offer is exceedingly better in terms of immediate return and future earnings. Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy’s CEO, has a larger stable of marquee junior middleweights that could potentially challenge Cotto in the future.

Also, if Cotto accepts the Canelo fight and loses, Miguel would still have many viable options going forward, including a potential matchup with WBO Middleweight Champion Peter Quillin.

Holding out for a fight against Sergio Martinez offers Cotto the opportunity to win the prestigious RING Magazine/lineal middleweight title but may produce less lucrative options in the future. A potential loss to the Argentinean would most likely mean a return back to junior middleweight, with potential marquee matchups diminished as potential Golden Boy options close.

Top Rank does have a sizeable stable but most of their marquee stars are in the welterweight and lightweight divisions. Cotto would find himself having to secure high revenue producing matchups with other promotional companies.

From a business perspective, Canelo Alvarez seems like the most lucrative option. However, from a career and longevity perspective, Cotto may lean towards the 38 year old Martinez who has spent more time in the operating room that the ring lately.

Cotto’s trainer, Freddie Roach said of Martinez:

“I already fought him once before (Chavez Jr.-Martinez). I know his style pretty well. I think I know how to beat Sergio Martinez. He’s a great athlete, very fast, but the thing is he does have some flaws in his armor.”

Who will Cotto ultimately choose? We’ll know soon.

Cotto’s Next Opponent… By the Numbers

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez

Division: Jr. Middleweight

Record: 42-1-1, 30 KO’s

Age: 23

Height: 5’9

Reach: 70 ½’

Stance: Orthodox

Offer: $10 million+ with other potential options to fight March 8th in Las Vegas, Nevada (MGM Grand)

Last PPV Fight: Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez – Estimated PPV buys 2,200,000

Behind the Gloves Projected PPV buys for Cotto bout: 1,000,000 – 1,500,000

(Projection is based on promoters past sales and strength of potential fight card as a whole with co-feature, and undercards.)

Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez

Division: Middleweight

Record: 51-2-2, 28 KO’s

Age: 38

Height: 5’10

Reach: 73′

Stance: Southpaw

Offer: Non-disclosed amount, to fight for Ring/WBC Middleweight Championship – June 7th at projected locations of East Rutherford, New Jersey (Met Life Stadium) or New York, New York (Madison Square Garden)

Last PPV Fight: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Sergio Martinez – Estimated PPV buys 475,000

Behind the Gloves Projected PPV buys for Cotto bout: 550,000 – 800,000

(Projection is based on Promoters past sales and strength of potential fight card as a whole with co-feature, and undercards.)

-Sal Arteaga

Contributor for www.BehindTheGloves.com