Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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Miguel Cotto (25-0, 21KO’s) is considered one of boxings biggest up and coming stars. The undefeated Puerto Rican will get a chance to prove his drawing power Saturday on his home turf as he puts his unbeaten streak on the line versus Gianluca Branco (36-1-1, 19 KO’s).  The fight will be televised on HBO tonight, airing against the Lacy-Calzaghe fight on Showtime in a battle of the boxing networks.

Cotto’s style is similar to another Puerto Rican legend, Tito Trinidad. Like Trinidad, his pizzazz and exciting style make him fun to watch. He likes to throw many punches at a time, and fires a lot of power shots at his opponents. He is a very slick counter puncher who does considerable damage when he lands, and is one of the best body punchers in the sport. He is young, incredibly talented, and undefeated.  All those qualities have him climbing the pound for pound rankings.  A win tonight over a solid opponent in Branco will just solidify those thoughts amongst boxing fans.

Branco is also a solid counter puncher who has a nice chin and packs a decent punch.  He is taking a very big step up in class since getting beat by another fan favorite in Arturo Gatti back in January of 2004. He has won four in a row since losing a decision to Gatti. All four of those victories have been by knock out.

The other two belt holders in this weight class are Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton, so it’s hard not to speculate what a win tonight would mean next for Cotto.  However, Mayweather is moving to welterweight on April 8 to fight for the IBF title against Zab Judah. Hatton has also expressed a desire to move to welterweight to face Carlos Baldomir, possibly as soon as this spring as well.

Come Saturday night I look for an action packed contest. I see Cotto giving his fans exactly what they came to see, a victory by way of knockout. He is simply too fast and too strong. He also will have thousands cheering for him and shouldn’t disappoint.