Op-Ed: Why Oscar de la Hoya Met with Miguel Cotto in Puerto Rico?

Popular boxer and promoter Oscar de la Hoya was recently seen with Miguel Cotto in Puerto Rico. Cotto claimed that it was a chance meeting but boxing fans in Puerto Rico believe that de la Hoya is trying to lure Cotto to sign up with his promotions firm.

What is the real reason why Oscar de la Hoya met with Miguel Cotto in Puerto Rico? And why did the meeting take place in Puerto Rico, of all places? The real reason is obvious. Miguel Cotto’s contract with Top Rank Promotions is rumored to be expiring this year. Cotto of course is free to remain with Top Rank or move to another promotions company. The businessman in Oscar dictates that he talks with Cotto to give the Puerto Rican idol, a choice after he is done with Top Rank. Cotto would still be a popular boxer even if he loses to Manny Pacquiao in their upcoming fight. Cotto is barely 30 years old and he is good for another 5 years. A Cotto-Margarito rematch would still be a top earner. This could be another reason why de la Hoya is trying to convince Cotto to move over to his promotions company. Miquel Cotto claimed that it was a chance meeting and there was no discussion about boxing. Although Oscar de la Hoya’s wife is from Puerto Rico, which gives him a reason for his presence there, it is almost unthinkable that it was indeed a chance meeting. The two reportedly played golf together. Oscar de la Hoya retired from professional boxing after his devastating defeat in the hands of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. The Mexican-American boxer owns the Golden Boy Promotions, a popular boxing promotions company that handles top boxers like Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, among others. There is a great possibility that de la Hoya is indeed trying to get Cotto to sign up with his Golden Boy Promotions when the Puerto Rican boxer finishes his contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions.