Miguel Cotto training in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon ahead of his HBO date with Delvin Rodriguez (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)

By Chris Robinson

On Wednesday afternoon, Puerto Rican star and three-division world champion Miguel Cotto held an open media workout with his trainer Freddie Roach inside of a newly-renovated gym right beneath the famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles.

A promotional free agent and one of the biggest attractions in the sport, Cotto is again working with his original promoter Top Rank ahead of his Oct. 5 date against former title challenger Delvin Rodriguez.

Cotto vs. Rodriguez isn’t looked at as the most enticing of matchups on paper, and that’s why much of the talk at the open workout seemed to center around Cotto’s options moving forward.

Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is coming off of a one-sided majority decision loss to Floyd Mayweather this past weekend in Las Vegas, yet he still remains one of the biggest names in the sport and could make for an attractive opponent for Cotto next year.

Cotto lost to Mayweather over twelve rounds last year as well but gave a much better account of himself than Alvarez, as he had several big moments in the fight while even bloodying Mayweather’s nose over the second half of the contest.

Alvarez, meanwhile, seemed completely at a loss as to how to attack Floyd, as he was soundly outfought and out boxed for nearly every round of the match.

Anyone who knows boxing will tell you that styles make fights, however, and that’s why several insiders seem to give Alvarez the edge if a duel with Cotto were ever to come to fruition.

Mayweather’s Uncle Roger, who trained Floyd for several years and still remains a crucial part of his corner, favors the 23-year old Alvarez if the fight ever comes off.

“I think it would be a good fight, but I think Canelo would beat him though,” Roger told me earlier this week. “Canelo aint a bad fighter, but he couldn’t f*ck with Floyd. Floyd’s too smart for him. That’s why, when Floyd [fought] him, he made it look easy. He made the fight look easy.”

Roger brushed off any notions that Cotto, who turns 33 next month, is past it and claimed that Alvarez’s strength and pressing style are hurdles that are too much to overcome.

“Because he’s physical,” Roger said of Alvarez. “He’s more physical and Cotto aint no hell of a boxer. Floyd made it look easy because Floyd boxed. Floyd outthinked [him], he countered him. Cotto aint got that. That’s why that guy right there would beat him. Physically he could beat him because he’s a mauler.”

Continue below to access the full interview with Roger Mayweather as well as other exclusives from Chris Robinson

Roger Mayweather reveals why Saul Alvarez beats Miguel Cotto

Freddie Roach calls Mayweather ‘boring’; admits he has interest in Miguel Cotto facing Canelo

Miguel Cotto opens up on his return to Top Rank, working with Freddie Roach, the future, and more

Adrien Broner on his love for music, his crazy life, and how he plans to become the ‘People’s champ’

Freddie Roach responds to Alex Ariza: ‘I really don’t want to give him any press’

Miguel Cotto media workout highlights ahead of Delvin Rodriguez clash [HD]

Maricela Cornejo interview and training footage ahead of Sept. 20 ring return

Mayweather Sr feels Floyd should stay away from Gennady Golovkin and Sergio Martinez

Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com