Boxingtalk spoke with WBO junior welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in Maywood, California on Friday night. The Puerto Rican sensation was on hand to watch hus older brother Jose get back on track with a seventh-round stoppage of Ubaldo Hernandez. Miguel, a 2000 Olympian undefeated as a pro, was gracious enough to take a few moments to discuss his upcoming fight, a March 4th title defense against Gianluca Branco that will be shown on HBO. Here's what he had to say.
 
 
BT: On March 4th, you'll be facing Gianluca Branco back in Puerto Rico for your next title defense. What are your thoughts on the fight?
 
MC: Everyone knows it's going to be a great fight. Everyone knows the quality of opponent that Gianluca Branco is. I expect a
great fight that night.
 
BT: When you fight back home in Puerto Rico, is it extra motivation for you as opposed to when you come here and fight?
 
MC: Fighting in front of your public, your hometown, its always more motivation. This won't be an exception.
 
BT: Branco went the distance with Gatti. Does that motivate you to go in there and make a statement that you're the #1 guy at 140 lbs by stopping Branco?
 
MC: I know that the "experts" are going to make their assessment of the result of the fight. I'm just waiting for it. That's the first thing on my mind, this fight with Branco.
 
BT: Has there been any talk by Top Rank about what's next after Branco. Is there talk of Ricky Hatton later in the year?
 
MC: Everything's a step by step process. Right now, my focus is the March 4th fight with Gianluca Branco. Then afterwards,
I'll talk about which opponent may be next potentially for me.
 
BT: Is there anything you'd like to say to the boxing fans reading on Boxingtalk.com?
 
MC: Just expect a great performance from Miguel Cotto this upcoming March 4th to all the fans of boxingtalk.
 
Boxingtalk would like to thank Hector Duarte of KO Productions for his assistance as a translator