Retired boxing referee Joe Cortez believes Juan Manuel Marquez could be in trouble if he decides to face former World Boxing Council middleweight champion Miguel Cotto in his next fight.

Cortez told El Vocero that he is not underestimating Marquez's boxing skills and experience. But he is convinced that Mexican boxing icon will have a hard time dealing with Cotto because of the Puerto Rican's size advantage.

Marquez, who has racked up 56 wins against just seven defeats and one draw in his 22-year professional boxing career, has not fought above 147 pounds before. Cortez thinks that Cotto, who is a natural junior middleweight, is too big and too strong for Marquez.

"Juan Manuel Marquez is a very experienced fighter and has a good punch. However, I think he's too small to face Miguel Cotto, who is a solid veteran at 154 pounds," Cortez said via BoxingScene. "He is too strong for Marquez, although we know that Marquez can give him a good fight. But the punch of Cotto is too strong for him."

Cotto, who has a 40-5 record with 33 knockout victories, has not fought below 151 pounds since losing to Manny Pacquiao in their World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight in November 2009.

In his defeat to Saul Alvarez in November, the 35-year-old came in at 155 pounds. The Caguas, Puerto Rico native fought Daniel Geale at 157 in 2015 and Sergio Gabriel Martinez at 159 pounds in 2014.

Cortez also pointed out that age could become a factor in the proposed fight because Marquez is already 42 years old, while Cotto has shown in his action-packed bout against Canelo that he still has gas left in his tank at 35. But if the fight happens, the Hall of Fame referee believes the showdown will be a treat to boxing fans.

"Marquez's age does not help either," Cortez continued. "However, it's a good fight for the fans. The Mexican is a warrior and knows that beating Cotto would be one of the best boxing victories of his career."

Marquez has been inactive since his unanimous decision win against Mike Alvarado in May 2014. Previous reports indicated that the four-division champion turned down fight offers because of a knee injury he sustained in his fight against Alvarado.

However, veteran trainer Nacho Beristain told Fox Deportes earlier this month that Marquez will be ready to start training immediately if the fight against Cotto is finalized.

"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 of Marquez. "He can still return straight to training."

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