Miguel Cotto vs. David Lemieux

I guess there really ought to be a different set of poll options for catchweight versus no catchweight...

 

Funny thing is they have been each other's second choices all along. Cotto wanted a Canelo rematch (regardless of the GGG result...we all know Cotto wants no part of GGG himself), and Lemieux wanted to wait on the winner to either take on Canelo himself or rematch Golovkin (either way, another PPV main event and big payday)...but with Canelo sitting out the rest of the year here we are.

 

Jumping the gun how? I didn't say it was official.

What is known is that Cotto will headline an HBO PPV in NYC on this date presumably at MSG, and Lemieux will compete either as his dance partner or in a co-feature against someone else. There aren't too many options for Cotto if that slot isn't filled by David, though. Fans won't pay PPV money to see Cotto vs. someone like Martirosyan. Who is there for a big splashy name that can sell tickets and PPV buys? Mayweather rematch isn't happening, that dude just fought a debutant and laughed his way to Canastota. Pacquiao just lost and won't be jumping past welterweight again (besides they're both stablemates training with Roach now). Canelo is out until 2018. Golovkin isn't something Cotto wants. Chávez Jr. probably couldn't even make 160 let alone a CW beneath it. JMM and Bradley retired.

This is it. Dan Rafael is leaning towards believing it will end up being Lemieux just because there's a dearth of other options.

 

You know GBP is going to do everything in their power to facilitate these negotiations and make sure it happens. Best case scenario for them, when you think about it.

They have a built-in guarantee of casual and diehard fans that will tune in just because it's Cotto's farewell, bolstered even more by the fact that be might either get KTFO or valiantly slay a giant, and their styles promise to blend in an exciting way, so there will be decent PPV buys... then, when Lemieux (most likely) kayos and retired Cotto it brilliantly sets up an even bigger PPV next year vs. Canelo, where they can bill it as the guy that iced Cotto but was outclassed by Golovkin versus the guy that fought on even terms with both. Handsome versus handsome. North of the border versus south of the border.

 

Golden Boy don't give a damn about Cotto, or about him going out with dignity or a W. They want to cash him out while they can, and roll forward their Lemieux investment to feed him in turn next year to Canelo. Then by the Golovkin rematch, Canelo is a bigger star than ever, gobbling up Lemieux at his peak-hype after Lemieux disposes of Cotto (saving Canelo the bother of having to rematch Cotto and potentially look ordinary again)