Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
Like Martirosyan, Pawel Wolak is ranked in the top 10 by the WBA and has just one defeat in his 28 contests, when he lost a close unanimous decision to former Contender Series star Ishe Smith in August 2008.
Last on the list is three-weight world champion Ricardo Mayorga, who at 37 finds himself on the cusp of a final world title chance. Mayorga (29-7-1) would come into any potential battle with an indifferent record of four wins in his last eight, but to his defence, they have all been at the top-class level against superstar performers Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Cory Spinks and Felix Trinidad.
An announcement is expected soon as rumours are circulating that Martirosyan could already be the chosen opponent and all that needs to be sorted is the TV coverage of the bout, other reports suggest it will be Mayorga who will earn the title shot and take on "Junito" in the spring.
WBN Editor
Light-middleweight champion to choose opponent soon
WBA 154lb champion Miguel Cotto will return to action at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 12th and will decide his opponent in the near future, with three possible candidates on his shortlist to choose from.
Cotto, 30, could face unbeaten Armenian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan, Poland’s Pawel Wolak or three-time world champion Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua on the same night Sergio Martinez defends his WBC middleweight title at Madison Square Garden.
The three men face an anxious wait to find out their fate as Cotto makes his first appearance since his proposed bout with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr collapsed last month, leading to the Puerto Rican putting his fight date back to March next year.
24 year-old Vanes Martirosyan is the hot favourite to face Cotto and holds an outstanding record of 28 fights 17 knockouts and no defeats. He trains at the Wildcard Gym with Freddie Roach and would not be an easy nights work for the rugged champion.
Like Martirosyan, Pawel Wolak is ranked in the top 10 by the WBA and has just one defeat in his 28 contests, when he lost a close unanimous decision to former Contender Series star Ishe Smith in August 2008.
Last on the list is three-weight world champion Ricardo Mayorga, who at 37 finds himself on the cusp of a final world title chance. Mayorga (29-7-1) would come into any potential battle with an indifferent record of four wins in his last eight, but to his defence, they have all been at the top-class level against superstar performers Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Cory Spinks and Felix Trinidad.
An announcement is expected soon as rumours are circulating that Martirosyan could already be the chosen opponent and all that needs to be sorted is the TV coverage of the bout, other reports suggest it will be Mayorga who will earn the title shot and take on "Junito" in the spring.