On June 6th, Puerto Rico’s favorite son and current middleweight champ Miguel Angel Cotto will face former middleweight champ Daniel Geale. Many in the boxing world don’t view this fight as having much appeal. If boxing nerds feel that way, imagine what the general public feels. That being said, we think that should be reconsidered. Here are five reasons why Cotto v. Geale matters.
1. A Puerto Rican Tradition
Cotto has fought six times over the past nine years during the week of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Along with the 116th Street Festival, a “Cotto fight” has come to be considered part of the annual festivities leading up to the parade. A victory raises the morale of an island nation and significant Puerto Rican population in New York. When it comes down to it any Cotto fight during this time year matters because it’s about cultural pride.
2. It’s Been A Year
Cotto steps in to the ring nearly a year to the day he defeated Sergio Martinez. At 34 years old he’s logged some rough miles. The press has peppered Cotto about such a long period of inactivity and its potential consequences. His response — it’s given him much needed rest. This may be true, but what is also true is a fighter at that age, with that many battles under his belt can grow old in one night. This will be something to consider and watch for on fight night.
3. Legitimate Middleweight
While Geale may not be the marquee opponent Cotto is accustomed to, he’s no slouch. He is a former two-time middleweight champ who has been in the ring with the likes of Gennady Golovkin, so he knows what its like to get hit. More importantly, Cotto has only fought once as a middleweight, and many believe Martinez bum knee played a factor in the Cotto victory. Although the fight is at a catch weight, it will be interesting to see how Cotto fares in his second middleweight outing.
4. The Austin Trout Factor
This go-around feels eerily similar to when Miguel Cotto faced Austin Trout in 2013. The fight was considered a preliminary step before a mega-bout with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Many thought Cotto would easily defeat Trout. Yet, Cotto ended up losing a decision, which not only de-railed the Alvarez bout but almost Cotto’s career. This fight matters because Cotto can’t afford a Trout repeat. The result could spell the end of his career, at least as an A-Side attraction.
5. Canelo is Next & Triple G is Stalking
Without a doubt, the most important thing about this bout is should Cotto win; a mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez is next. Cotto has gone on record in the press stating that there is a verbal agreement for the Canelo fight – the biggest indicator to date. If it were to happen it would be later this year and another Puerto Rico v. Mexico showdown. Finally, there looms Genady “Triple G” Golovkin. Triple G is considered the best middleweight out there and has been publicly clamoring for Cotto. Cotto’s camp has been tepid at best about a Triple G bout. Many suspect it would be too much risk, not enough reward at this point. Yet, stranger things have happened.
