Boxing News 2016: Juan Manuel Marquez's Trainer Wants Fight Between 'El Dinamita' And Miguel Cotto
Ignacio Beristain, owner of Mexico's renowned Romanza Gym and more notably known as the head coach of legend and veteran Juan Manuel Marquez, has no issue with "El Dinamita" taking a fight against Miguel Cotto.
Marquez (56-7-1, with 40 victories by knockout) last saw action in May 2014, where he picked up a unanimous decision win against former world champion Mike Alvarado. The 42-year-old professional boxer has since been on the sidelines due to an injury, and at one point, even contemplated on retirement.
However, in a recent report by Elisinio Castillo for Boxingscene, the 76-year-old Beristain confirmed that Marquez has not made his retirement plans definite. "Nacho" also added that despite not being able to get in touch with his fighter, he believes Marquez can still compete at a high level.
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"I do not rule out [this version of Marquez] being capable of fighting against Cotto," Beristain said. "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's most notable fights were against Filipino boxing icon and boxing's first and only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. The two men fought a total of four times, with the first one in 2004 ending in a draw.
The second fight in 2008, which had Marquez knocked down multiple times like in the first fight, ended in a split decision in Pacquiao's favor.
The third fight in 2011 was marred by controversy, that despite Marquez's more convincing performance, "Pacman" still managed to emerge victorious via majority decision.
Marquez was able to put the exclamation point on their rivalry in December 2012, when he knocked Pacquiao out cold using one hard right hand to the chin in the sixth round of their fight.
Cotto, on the other hand, last fought in November against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, where he lost via unanimous decision, dropping his middleweight titles in the process.
