With the return of Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27KO) back into the welterweight mix and Antonio Margarito’s disappointing exit out it at least for a year, the Caguas native stands as the elite fighter of the division. Although Margarito is appealing his suspension, Cotto’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank has stated that even if the “Tijuana Tornado” succeeds in his appeal, there is not enough time to promote the mega fight Cotto-Margarito II would be. With that said, I offer my list of the five potential opponents Cotto could face on the eve of the Puerto Rican parade in NYC, June 13th if I was in charge of the Boricua’s career. The list goes from the least I would like to see to the most.
5. Paul Williams (36-1, 27KO) It is almost insanity for any welterweight to want to face the “Punisher” at the 147 lbs limit. With his 6’1″ frame and his 82″ reach, the physical advantages the 5’7″ Cotto will be giving up would be reason alone to not want the fight. Add that to Paul’s southpaw style, busy work rate and solid chin and you got a fight that would not make sense one fight removed from Cotto’s toughest night ever, July 26th, 2008.
4. Shane Mosley (46-5, 39KO) Although this might be the biggest 
money fight immediately available to Cotto. I would be relunctant to put Miguel against “Sugar” and again it the winds of the “Tornado” have to do with it. A mere one fight and eleven months since that telling affair with Margarito, I believe that it would be too soon for the difficult fight Mosley brings to the table. Not to mention with Nazim Richardson calling the shots in the WBA champ’s corner, it will be easy to believe that his new trainer would be able to give his experienced charge the right plan to neutralize Cotto a la Margarito.
3. Andre Berto (24-0, 19KO) The WBC titlist should be the easier pickings for the much 
better fighter Cotto although no fault of the twenty five year old. Berto is just a little bit to green to take on a monster like Cotto who might as well be faster than Berto and convincely hits harder than the Haitian. The main reason why I wouldn’t want to see this fight, at least not on June 13th, is because I would want to wait to see it when Berto gains some more experience so the bout will be more competitive. Plus, since Berto and for that matter Williams are advised by Al Haymon, those are the least likely to be made since Arum has vowed never to work with the man.
2. Joshua Clottey (35-2, 20KO) Every one in the division avoids the man from Ghana like 
the plague, and why not? Clottey is known as a rugged welterweight with a concrete chin and an almost unpenetrable defense. With the IBF belt as bait, this fight makes a lot of sense. The only drawback is the money factor and the risk/reward equation. Although I believe that Cotto can win a unanimous division, it will not be easy since Clottey packs a punch.
1. Kermit Cintron (30-2-1, 27KO) The high school wrestling champion in my eyes is the perfect opponent for Miguel Cotto on June 13th. Not only could he potentially bring on his own contingent of PR fans to NYC from nearby Pennsylvania, but I believe his athleticism, fan friendly style, aggressiveness and power from both fists sets up an entertaining contest. With the fact that the three losses between them can be attributed to the same man, it gives the promotion a nice back story.