AFTER missing out on the chance to fight Mexican idol Saul โCaneloโ Alvarez, WBO junior-middleweight champion Liam Smith could fight one the sportโs other mega-stars, Miguel Cotto. That proposition may seem unlikely but Cotto is now number one in the WBOโs rankings and Smithโs promoter, Frank Warren has a knack for producing these match-ups.
โFrank does well at pulling these things off. He put Michael Jennings in with Cotto in New York,โ Liamโs trainer, Joe Gallagher told Boxing News. โFrank has a good working relationship over there. If anyone can pull it off Iโm sure Frank can. It would be a great lift for Liam Smith.โ
โHe was really gutted that he never got the Canelo Alvarez fight. It was close, it was very close to being done but it just didnโt happen in the end. Iโm pleased obviously for Amir [Khan] that he got the fight but disappointed for Liam Smith. Liamโs in the gym, just ticking over, doing the odd bit of sparring, just helping me out. Weโre just waiting to see what Frank has in store for him,โ Joe continued. โIโve heard thereโs 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.
โIt 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. Itโs all gone quiet on that front, Iโve seen thereโs talk of Cotto-[Juan Manuel] Marquez but I canโt really see that to be honest. Heโs 41, 42, heโs struggled with knees.
โI do think Liam is a very good option for Miguel Cotto. Heโs got a world title and I think it makes sense.โ