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Bob Arum: Lee in the frame but Cotto will decide who he fights next

TOP Rank top man Bob Arum has discussed Andy Lee as a possible opponent for WBC middleweight champion of the World Miguel Cotto, but revealed the future Hall of Fame puncher will ultimately chose his December opponent.

The boxing superstar will fight on December 13 in New York City’s Madison Square Garden, but an opponent has yet to be confirmed for the four weight world champion.

Lee’s promoter Lou DiBella had touted Lee as possible foe for the fighter, who beat Sergio Martinez last time out, and excited Irish fight fans by revealing he had talked to Top Rank re a possible Puerto Rican Irish showdown.

Arum, added fuel to the Lee Cotto fire by expressing his openness to the bout, but warned Cotto will make the final decision on who he fights next- and the popular pay per view fighter isn’t short of suitors.

“Lou DiBella did call me about Andy Lee, and I said, ‘Yeah, that would be a good fight.’ But, again, the ball is in Cotto’s court. It’s Cotto’s date, and he’ll decide what he wants to do,” said Arum, referring to Lee’s promoter, Lou DiBella.

“I love Andy Lee. To me, he’s a terrific fighter and a great attraction and a nice young man. I have known him since he was with Emanuel. But I can’t say what Cotto is going to do. There are a lot of other fighters that he could fight. So, certainly it will be worked out with Todd and Cotto and Gaby.”

If the Limerick fighter, who challenged Julio Cesar Chavez Jr for a World title back in xx, does secure a shot at Cotto and wins it could lead to a massive world title fight with fellow Irish middleweight Matthew Macklin.

Macklin’s new promoter Eddie Hearn has been talking about a possible WBC final eliminator between Macklin and Martin Murray in the O2 in Novemeber and in a ideal Irish World if both Irish middleweights win Macklin will be mandatory for the Adam Booth trained puncher.

While beating boxing royality like Cotto isn’t a given, Lee supporters will argue the world champ is not a natural middleweight and beat a shot Sergio Martinez to claim a 160 title.

There is also rumours that Lee and Cotto have shared the sparring ring and that the Limerick man fared better in the those battles.

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