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Home » Exclusive: Vanes Martirosyan, now a free agent, tells Miguel Cotto, ‘I’m here – lets’ fight!’

Exclusive: Vanes Martirosyan, now a free agent, tells Miguel Cotto, ‘I’m here – lets’ fight!’

Cotto was due to face Kirkland on February 25 until the ex-world title challenger suffered an injury and Martirosyan is ready to step in for a future opportunity against the three-weight ruler this year.

“I want the Cotto fight. It’s something I want to pursue,” Martirosyan exclusively told World Boxing News.

“He’s having a hard time finding an opponent and I’m a free agent now. I don’t have a manager or a promoter and I’m free to take that fight.

“I’m open to all offers. I’ve spoken to Golden Boy, but my options are all open. I want to know what the best deal is for me before I make a final decision.”

Revealing an offer for a return with Ishe Smith, whom he defeated in September 2015, Martirosyan stated he was willing to agree the deal should the Cotto call not be forthcoming.

“The Cotto fight is the one I want. They don’t have to go looking for it anywhere. It’s the easiest fight to make. They can even sign me as a fighter if they like. I mean if I do win, they’d have the option to make me their fighter. However they want to do it, I just want that fight.

“I’m ranked number three in the world and I do have the option for an Ishe Smith fight, but if Cotto wants to fight I’m here for that. I don’t want to lose the Ishe Smith opportunity, but obviously, Cotto is the bigger fight.

“If the Cotto fight doesn’t happen, then I’m okay with the Ishe Smith fight,” he added.

Martirosyan, 30, has until late March to agree a second encounter with Smith, although with losses only to current world champions on his record through 40 fights, ‘The Nightmare’ seems a good alternative to Kirkland for Cotto moving forward.