Boxing superstars Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto could face each other later this year. Trainer Freddie Roach said that Marquez is the perfect opponent for Cotto in his next fight.

Roach told Bernardo Osuna of ESPN that they are still looking at possible opponents for Cotto, but he pointed out that Marquez is a good option because boxing fans are eager to see another showdown between a Mexican and a Puerto Rican boxer.

"I was thinking of opponents for Miguel Cotto down the line and I think Marquez would be a perfect opponent," Roach said via BoxingScene. "That would be a great fight. When a Puerto Rican and a Mexican get together it's always great."

Roach is familiar with Marquez because the Mexican boxing warrior faced Manny Pacquiao four times before, and the Hall of Fame trainer was on the opposite corner in all four meetings. The 55-year-old trainer is still eyeing a fifth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez but he believes the latter is not open to facing his Filipino rival again.

"I don't think he wants to fight Manny any more, maybe he's done that enough," Marquez said. "But Miguel at the right weight, I think it could be a very interesting fight."

Weight could be an issue if the two parties decide to negotiate for the bout. Cotto has fought at more than 150 pounds in his recent bouts, while Marquez has not weighed more than 144.5 pounds in his previous fights. Roach clarified, though, that Cotto can still move down to 147 pounds.

Reacting to the proposed bout, trainer Nacho Beristain told ESPN Deportes that he thinks Marquez will also be open to facing Cotto if he decides to fight again. Like Roach, Beristain is also convinced a Cotto-Marquez fight will be very interesting.

"I do not rule out this version of Marquez being capable of fighting against Cotto," Beristain said via BoxingScene. "If [Marquez] returns to the ring, I don't think it is unreasonable to do it with an opponent of that level. It would be a good fight, given their styles."

The 42-year-old former world champion has not fought since scoring a unanimous decision win over Mike Alvarado in May 2014, but Beristain is convinced that Marquez will be ready for an immediate bout against Cotto.

"I have not spoken with Juan Manuel for three months, but I know him and he's never had any problems with inactivity," Beristain said. "He can still return straight to training."

Cotto, who owns a 40-5 record with 33 knockout victories, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in their World Boxing Council middleweight title fight in November.

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