World Boxing Council middleweight champion Miguel Cotto is being mentioned as a possible opponent for Floyd Mayweather's next fight, but will the unbeaten champion face him in a rematch?
Mayweather scored a lopsided unanimous decision win over Cotto in May 2012, but most boxing analysts are convinced that the fight was closer than what the scorecards suggested, as the Puerto Rican almost scored a knock out in the fight.
Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi is also convinced that Mayweather had a tough time against Cotto, which makes him hope that the two boxing superstars will collide again.
"I think Miguel Cotto is very dangerous, I don't think he gets enough credit for the way he fought the first fight with Mayweather," Malignaggi said via On The Ropes Boxing Radio. "I think he fought a very dangerous fight - I only had it 7-5 for Floyd Mayweather, 115-113. I think when we talk about Mayweather's tougher fights of his career, I don't think Cotto gets enough credit for the performance he had that night."
However, Malignaggi said that he is unsure whether or not the reigning pound-for-pound king will face Cotto in a rematch, knowing that middleweight champion will be a dangerous opponent for him.
"I don't see Floyd giving him a rematch," Malignaggi said. "Cotto is one of those guys that he hits so hard and he's actually really good that if you've beaten him, you'd rather see him in your rear view mirror and not have to deal with him again. I've been in the ring with him and I don't think I want to see him again, and he beat me."
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who is being credited for the resurgence of Cotto, previously said in a Floyd Mayweather next fight interview that the unbeaten world champion won't face the Caguas, Puerto Rico native again.
But if Mayweather eventually decides to have a rematch with Cotto, Roach said that the 33-year-old veteran will dominate Floyd Jr. because the Grand Rapids, Michigan native looked old in his previous fights.
"All you got to do with him [Mayweather] is just get in shape and just beat him to it all night," Roach said via BoxingScene. "I think his legs are gone. He says he fights, he doesn't move anymore because he wants to please the fans. I think he just can't. I think he's shot. I think he won't fight any of my guys."
