WBA light-middleweight champion Austin Trout has landed the big name he has been craving after Miguel Cotto agreed to a fight on December 1.
Puerto Rican agrees title fight after Pacquiao talks flounder
WBA light-middleweight champion Austin Trout has landed the big name he has been craving after Miguel Cotto agreed to a fight on December 1.
Three-weight world champion Cotto had been in talks with Manny Pacquiao's team regarding a potential re-match between the pair following the Puerto Rican's lopsided defeat in 2009.
However, a disagreement over the weight limit scuppered hopes of a second match-up, leaving the former holder of a version of the WBA's strap to take on the undefeated Trout in New York.
The 26-year-old is has made three defences of the 'regular' belt since winning it in February 2011, but has been overlooked by the bigger names at 154lb because he lacks box-office appeal.
Cotto has a huge following in New York but Trout, from New Mexico, is not concerned about being the 'away' fighter.
"I originally won the title in hostile territory by defeating Canelo's big brother (Rigoberto Alvarez) in Guadalajara, Mexico," he said.
"I not only beat him, but I pitched a shut-out. I'm used to fighting in front of another fighter's fans. It only makes my accomplishments that much more impressive.
"I know Cotto is a great fighter and a future, first ballot Hall of Famer, but this is my time in boxing. "He's had his time. He was a great champion but this is not going to be another championship winning effort for Miguel."
With Cotto now unavailable, Pacquiao now has a choice between Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez for his next opponent on December 8.
The Filipino has won two of his previous three fights with Marquez, with the drawn, although all three have proved contentious decisions, while Pacquiao lost to Bradley earlier this year in what was also a highly controversial result.
Both men are asking for huge paydays and talks are thought to be ongoing with both teams, with an announcement expected this week.
