Photo by Patrick Smith\/Getty Images<\/small><\/p>\n
Collazo, 22, took home the grand prize at light flyweight<\/p>\n
Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions have teamed up to cultivate what might be Puerto Rico’s next title hope, signing 22-year-old Pan-American Games gold medalist Oscar Collazo to a promotional deal. “The Pupil” is set to make his debut on February 15th<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I’m a little anxious for my debut. I have great plans,” said Collazo<\/strong>, who had over 140 fights as an amateur. “I want to be the face of boxing in Puerto Rico, and I have the tools to do that. By signing with Miguel Cotto Promotions, I have come to the right places to accomplish those plans.”<\/p>\n ”We had many offers on the table, but the best offer was definitely from Miguel Cotto Promotions. Aside from the fact that Miguel had a great career as a boxer, I think we have joined a promoter that can help develop us. It’s enough to see how many world champions they’ve had in [Angel] “Tito” Acosta and [Alberto] Machado, along with many various regional champions. They have a great squadron of prospects. Being with a promoter like that really motivates me.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Collazo won his medal at light flyweight, the division at which the aforementioned Acosta won and thrice defended the WBO title before losing it in a shocker to Elwin Soto earlier this year<\/a>. Acosta was the only male Puerto Rican world champion, a void Cotto, De La Hoya, and co. are eager to see the young man fill.<\/p>\n “We have always been a faithful believer that as an amateur boxer you must have a complete experience because it gives you the tools to be successful at a professional level. Oscar Collazo is a natural talent and has what it takes to be a world champion in the near future,” said Miguel Cotto<\/strong>, President of Miguel Cotto Promotions.<\/p>\n ”Oscar Collazo has great talent, and we are very content and enthused that he has put his trust in us to work together. Oscar Collazo will be a world champion,” said Héctor Soto<\/strong>, Vice President and promoter of Miguel Cotto Promotions y H2 Entertainment.<\/p>\n ”Golden Boy has crowned several Puerto Rican world champions in the past few years because of our great partnership with Miguel Cotto Promotions,” said Oscar De La Hoya<\/strong>, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “And now with this new signing, I’m sure that we’ll be developing several more in the near future. Oscar Collazo is a standout talent at mini flyweight, a division where we have hosted many exciting fights in recent months. We look forward jointly promoting this young boxer with our friends at Miguel Cotto Promotions.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Collazo is the latest standout amateur to forego a shot at the 2020 Games in favor of turning pro; Jared Anderson, a shoo-in for Team USA, signed with Top Rank earlier this year in similar fashion<\/a>. It’s a trend worth keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n <\/ins>\n
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