As anticipated by almost everyone, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions did not give Miguel Cotto his desired fight with Yoshihiro Kamegai as a one off deal. Given that Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports couldn’t get the deal done in a way that wouldn’t be a financial loss, it made sense that Golden Boy would only do so with assurances of future financial gain.
The most interesting part of Golden Boy’s release of the news is the acknowledgement that they will be working with Cotto Promotions, Miguel’s relatively small promotion working out of his native Puerto Rico. Historically elite, Puerto Rican boxing has been on a notable downswing over the next few years. Reportedly as part of this arrangement Golden Boy will use some of their ESPN dates to broadcast from Puerto Rico in association with Cotto Promotions in an effort to develop and promote Puerto Rican prospects.
If Golden Boy Promotions feels a little pressed to fill the 24 dates a year that they owe ESPN, this would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. I suspect that is the case. If not, however, this is a big concession to sign a big name fighter. Golden Boy has been quietly rebuilding their roster quite well since the Haymon departure a few years ago, but for top end draws they only had Canelo Alvarez until this moment.
Miguel Cotto will be making his Golden Boy debut against Yoshihiro Kamegai on August 27th on HBO,
