FORMER four-weight world champion Miguel Cotto will return to the ring after more than a year away against shopworn James Kirkland on February 25.
Both men are coming off of losses to Canelo Alvarez. Cotto was outpointed by the Mexican in an enthralling November 2015 clash while Kirkland was destroyed inside three rounds earlier that same year.
The pair will meet in a 12-round super-welterweight fight at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas – a state Cotto has not fought in since his second pro fight in 2001.
The fight will be broadcast on HBO pay-per-view in America and is the last outing of Cotto’s contract with Roc Nation Sports.
Cotto and his team had been in talks with other fighters for his 2017 return – including Lamont Peterson – but were unable to secure any deals. The 36-year-old Puerto Rican warlord is winding down his legendary career.
Though both men typically bring a lot of excitement, Cotto-Kirkland has been met with a fair bit of criticism, especially as it is on pay-per-view. Earlier today it was announced Gennady Golovkin will face Danny Jacobs on a March 18 HBO PPV show.
Cotto and Kirkland will address the media at a press conference on Monday to officially announce their fight.
