Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristain declared that Mexican boxing icon Juan Manuel 'Dinamita' Marquez is ready to face Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto this year.
Beristain reacted to talks about the possible showdown between Marquez and Cotto, which could be added to the long list of big bouts between a Mexican and a Puerto Rican boxer. If an offer comes up, Beristain said that they will not hesitate to accept the bout because he is convinced Marquez still has enough gas left in his tank to collide with Cotto.
"I do not rule out [this version of Marquez] being capable of fighting against Cotto," Beristain told ESPN Deportes via BoxingScene. "If [Marquez] returns to the ring, I don't think it is unreasonable to do it with an opponent of that level. It would be a good fight, given their styles."
Marquez, who owns a 56-7-1 record with 40 knockout wins in his 22-year professional boxing career, has been inactive since his unanimous decision win against Mike Alvarado in May 2014. The former world champion was linked to several fights over the past several months but has not committed to any bout mainly because of knee issues.
But according to Beristain, he has no doubt in mind that Marquez is ready to return to training immediately despite coming off a long layoff and thinking of retirement over the past several months.
"He's made no decision to retire from boxing," Beristain added. "I have not spoken with Juan Manuel for three months, but I know him and he's never had any problems with inactivity. He can still return straight to training."
On the other hand, Cotto has not talked about his return bout but the Puerto Rican and his camp are now plotting their next move after the 35-year-old lost his World Boxing Council middleweight title via a unanimous decision defeat to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in November.
But for Freddie Roach, who handled Cotto in his last four fights, Marquez should be on top of their list of possible opponents. The Hall of Famer is still thinking off pitting his prized fighter Manny Pacquiao against Marquez, but he admitted that the Cotto-Marquez is the more doable bout.
"When a Puerto Rican and a Mexican get together it's always great," Roach said. "I don't think he wants to fight Manny any more, maybe he's done that enough. But Miguel at the right weight, I think it could be a very interesting fight."
Roach added that Cotto, who has racked up 40 victories against just five defeats in his career, could still go down to 147 pounds to face Marquez after fighting above 151 pounds in his last nine fights.
