Freddie Roach Vouching For Juan Manuel Marquez as Next Opponent of Miguel Cotto

Freddie Roach wants Miguel Cotto to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in June. He believes a fight with the Mexican legend would greatly revitalize the Puerto Rican's career, while also acting as a perfect retirement bout for Marquez.

The world-renowned boxing trainer revealed this week that the Cotto camp has already given a list of possible opponents, as per Boxing Scene.

"His advisor gave me a list of six guys. I did put it out there with Marquez," Roach said. "Billy Joe Saunders is on the list, the kid Kell Brook is on the list. One of the Smith Brothers, Liam Smith is on the list."

Out of the six possible fighters, the acclaimed cornerman feels Marquez is the best option for Cotto at this particular time. However, it's worth mentioning that Marquez has not been active in the boxing circles since defeating Mike Alvarado back in 2014.

Boxing News 24 noted that Cotto and Marquez have the same height and reach. The main area of concern, if a match between the two ever suffices, is Cotto's weight. The Puerto Rican slugger would have to shed at least 10 pounds in order to meet Marquez at a reasonable catch weight.

Roach doesn't seem a tad bit concern with that idea. He even maintains that a Cotto-Marquez fight would be a great one.

"I'm trying to get Miguel Cotto's next fight in June at the Barclays Center," he said. "There's been some talk about Juan Manuel Marquez in that fight. I think that would be a great fight."

He added that he has been trying to make the mega fight a reality. However, he is also aware that Marquez may still require at least one tune-up fight to prepare for a collision course with Cotto.

Meanwhile, Joe Cortez thinks Marquez will have a hard time keeping up with Cotto in the ring. The Puerto Rican boxing referee shared with El Vocero that Marquez is naturally smaller in weight than Cotto, plus he is also seven years older, per Boxing Scene,  

"I think that Juan Manuel Marquez is a very experienced fighter and has a good punch," he said. "However, I think he's too small to face Miguel Cotto, who is a solid veteran at 154 pounds."

Where it currently stands, Marquez has a record of 56-7-1, while Cotto owns a 40-5-0 stat sheet, as per Boxing Rec. Marquez has not been knocked out in his 23-year career, while Cotto has been stopped by both Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito.