The speculation has now been confirmed. Miguel Cotto has announced that he and his fighters have partnered with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports. The deal was announced by the middleweight world champion himself on ESPN.com this morning.
“We have an announcement to make today. We have an alliance with… Miguel Cotto Promotions, Miguel Cotto boxers with Roc Nation and we are more than happy to announce that.”
ESPN reports that Cotto signed this multi-fight/multi-year deal earlier this week.
Miguel Cotto is the second major star in the sport to sign with Roc Nation Sports. Super middleweight Andre Ward signed with Jay-Z’s company back in January which added much-needed legitimacy to the Roc Nation brand as a boxing promoter.
Miguel Cotto also revealed that he plans on fighting a currently unnamed opponent in June. The assumption is June 6th, as it would coincide with the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York City. The fact that Cotto could not fully commit to the “June 6th” date reveals that whomever his opponent may eventually be, negotiations must not be as far along as many have assumed.
Roc Nation Sports have now signed two of the most notoriously difficult “diva” fighters in the sport. Andre Ward has fought more with his former promoter Goosen Promotions, than he has with other boxers in the last 3 years and as the years go on, Cotto’s “Goldilocks” approach to choosing his opponents becomes more and more pronounced.
Cotto has already missed out on a huge fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in May because of his unwillingness to commit. Now, three months out from his target date of June 6th, he still has no dance partner. Unlike Floyd and Manny, it’s not a fight people have been talking about for six years. He will need that time to promote his fight.
Roc Nation Sports is going to have a hell of a time using Andre Ward and Miguel Cotto to build their brand. Between their “diva” approach to making fights, and relative inactivity combined with certain rival promotions disinterest in helping them build their brand, it will be an uphill battle. Cotto is a great fighter and a stellar name to have in your stable, but he will not make things any easier.
