AFTER missing out on the chance to fight Mexican idol Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, WBO junior-middleweight champion Liam Smith could fight one the sport’s other mega-stars, Miguel Cotto. That proposition may seem unlikely but Cotto is now number one in the WBO’s rankings and Smith’s promoter, Frank Warren has a knack for producing these match-ups.
“Frank does well at pulling these things off. He put Michael Jennings in with Cotto in New York,” Liam’s trainer, Joe Gallagher told Boxing News. “Frank has a good working relationship over there. If anyone can pull it off I’m sure Frank can. It would be a great lift for Liam Smith.”
“He was really gutted that he never got the Canelo Alvarez fight. It was close, it was very close to being done but it just didn’t happen in the end. I’m pleased obviously for Amir [Khan] that he got the fight but disappointed for Liam Smith. Liam’s in the gym, just ticking over, doing the odd bit of sparring, just helping me out. We’re just waiting to see what Frank has in store for him,” Joe continued. “I’ve heard there’s interest from Cotto to fight Liam Smith. Liam Smith is in a red hot division and he holds a world title. Miguel Cotto is now the number one in the WBO, in line to fight Liam Smith.
“It would be fantastic now if that fight with Cotto was to be made. That would be a huge fight for Liam Smith to be excited about and to fight him in New York on Puerto Rican weekend [in June] would be fantastic as well. It’s all gone quiet on that front, I’ve seen there’s talk of Cotto-[Juan Manuel] Marquez but I can’t really see that to be honest. He’s 41, 42, he’s struggled with knees.
“I do think Liam is a very good option for Miguel Cotto. He’s got a world title and I think it makes sense.”
