The other Miguel Cotto

October 30, 2009 | Posted by Benjie

PHOTO COURTESY: BOXYLUCHA.COM

Photo Courtesy: Boxylucha.com

On November 14, we will be watching probably the biggest fight of the year. Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will go up against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico. Obviously, we are referring to Miguel Angel Cotto, the current WBO welterweight champion. However, not so many people know that there is another Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico who is also a professional boxer. He is Miguel Angel’s elder brother Jose Miguel.

PHOTO COURTESY: FIGHTNEWS.COM AND PROMOCIONES MIGUEL COTTO

Photo Courtesy: Fightnews.com and Promociones Miguel Cotto

Jose Miguel Cotto was born on June 22, 1977 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He represented his native country in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics but was ousted in the first round. On that same year, he turned pro with fights in Puerto Rico and later in the United States. For most of his career, he has boxed under the shadows of his younger brother Miguel Angel.

Jose Miguel’s professional record is as impressive as his younger brother. As of the moment, he commands a 30-1-1 win-loss-draw record with 22 KOs. His only defeat came from a Unanimous Decision loss to highly regarded Juan Diaz of Houston, Texas back in 2006. A year later, he ended up in a draw with Thai boxer Prawet Singwancha in Salinas, Puerto Rico. One thing that separates him from his younger brother however is the fact that he has never fought a marquee boxer in any weight category other than Juan Diaz. This could be the reason why until now he continues to be under the shadows of Miguel Angel.

On fight night dubbed as ‘Firepower’, expect the elder Miguel Cotto not in the ring, but on the stands cheering for his younger brother.