by B.A. Cass

In September, Miguel Cotto (41-5, 33 KOs) announced that he wanted to face the winner of the long overdue showdown between Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) and Canelo Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs). But that won’t be happening now that Golovkin vs. Alvarez ended in a controversial draw. According to Oscar De La Hoya, negotiations for the rematch between Canelo and Golovkin will begin in the first part of next year. “It seems like both fighters want to fight each other,” De La Hoya said today. “And that’s a fight that I would be pushing for. Both fighters feel like they still have something to prove, which will make it an exciting fight.”

“A lot of people underestimate Canelo’s speed and his ability to move from punches and block punches,” De La Hoya said. “Yes, there’s a lot of little things that Canelo can work on, but that comes from experience obviously.” It’s hard to imagine Canelo will gain much experience before he faces Golovkin again, given the fact that Golden Boy Promotions is eying a direct rematch. “We’re definitely going to block off Cinco de Mayo and September for Canelo,” De La Hoya said. “He’s given me my marching orders to get the best possible venue, the best possible date.”

Cotto isn’t disappointed that he won’t get a chance face Golovkin or avenge his earlier loss to Canelo. “He understands that it was a draw. He understands that both fighters possibly want to fight each other. Miguel Cotto is set on his retirement fight. He’s set on fighting on December 2nd. He’s not going to wait for anybody.”

Cotto’s opponent will be Sadam Ali (25-1, 14 KOs). According to De La Hoya, Ali is the only fighter who stepped up to the challenge. “We offered this fight to many fighters,” De La Hoya said. “Fighters do not understand what an opportunity against Miguel Cotto means to their careers.”

Several fighters, most notably Errol Spence, have turned down the fight with Cotto because they did not want to sign a long-term contract with Golden Boy Promotions.

“Look,” De La Hoya said. “I believe in Errol Spence. I believe in Mikey Garcia. I believe in Danny Garcia. Or even Keith Thurman.” But he questions their choice not sign with a top promoter.

“You look at every legend that’s out there, like Miguel Cotto, like Mayweather, like Pacquiao, like myself, like Tyson, like anybody,” De La Hoya said. “You need a promoter. You need a promoter to guide your career, to have a plan for you—a long-term plan, a short-term plan. You know, you see Errol Spence, guys like Danny Garcia. I don’t even know when the last time Danny Garcia fought, and I love watching Danny Garcia fight. . . . Mikey Garcia, he beats Broner. So what? Now he’s fighting a guy who is promoted by Broner. A promoter tries to help make you great. That’s exactly what’s happening here. . . . It’s not for the money; it’s for the opportunity because imagine if [Ali] beats Miguel Cotto. . . .”

Follow B.A. Cass on Twitter @WiththePunch

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