Miguel Cotto Wants Mayweather in 2011

Miguel Cotto’s March 12 date with Ricardo Mayorga hasn’t stopped the Puerto Rican star from dreaming of a showdown with Floyd Mayweather for late 2011.

According to Boxing Scene, Cotto revealed on a Puerto Rican radio show that he and Mayweather had discussed a fight for late 2010. Media outlets reported the pair meeting in Puerto Rico last summer. However, both sides maintained their meeting was strictly for the possibility of co-promoting bouts in Cotto’s homeland, and not a potential fight between the two. 

“For one reason or another [it never happened],” Cotto explained. “We have to see what happens with his [Mayweather’s] career. We have always been willing to face the big names.”

After Floyd Mayweather knocked out Ricky Hatton in December 2007, many clamored for a showdown with the then undefeated Cotto, who boasted three wins that year over Oktay Urkal, Zab Judah, and Shane Mosley.

Mayweather dismissed Cotto as not being a “PPV attraction,” and opted to rematch Oscar De La Hoya in September 2008. After that fight was canceled over a monetary dispute, Mayweather remained retired until making a successful comeback on September 2009 against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Going into the Cotto-Pacquiao bout in November 2009, the winner was expected to be the frontrunner to face Mayweather in early 2010. Pacquiao won, and has subsequently went through two failed negotiations with Mayweather within the last year.

At press time, other potential 2011 opponents for Cotto include Andre Berto, and rematches with Shane Mosley, Manny Pacquiao or Antonio Margarito.

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I was salivating for a Mayweather-Cotto bout back in 2008. Mayweather wasn’t. During the post-fight Hatton interview, he acknowledged Cotto was a good fighter, but vowed that he wouldn’t let boxing retire him. Some took that to mean he was scared of Cotto hurting him. I took it as him saying he wouldn’t keep fighting tough fights until his body broke down.

I have no problem with a fighter opting to enjoy his millions rather than get punched in the face. But the other excuses Mayweather came with like Cotto “not being a PPV attraction” were complete BS. And taking the De La Hoya rematch was downright disgraceful.

Despite the missed opportunity when they were red-hot, I’d still watch Mayweather-Cotto today. I favor Mayweather by decision. For now, it’s a fight confined to “what if” debates.