One of boxing's brightest young stars will be in action this weekend, as WBO junior welterweight champion Miguel Cotto returns home to Puerto Rico to face top-rated contender Gianluca Bronco of Italy. This fight was originally supposed to take place back in September on the Wladimir Klitschko-Sam Peter undercard, but Bronco pulled out with an injury, and Cotto was forced to face gutsy Columbian Ricardo Torres on three weeks notice.

Miguel Cotto (25-0, 21 KO's) was considered by most "in the know" to be the heir apparent to the Felix Trinidad throne, but after surprisingly poor performances against DeMarcus Corley and Ricardo Torres, experts have now been quick to reserve their opinion on the 24-year-old prospect.

In the Torres fight, Miguel Cotto successfully defended his WBO crown for the fourth time, but not without moments of major difficulty on his way to outgunning and stopping a game Ricardo Torres, who had been undefeated coming into the contest. In what was a back-and-forth battle for seven long rounds, both men hit the canvas early, but it was Cotto who used his tenacious body punching to wear down and eventually stop the tough Columbian. Unfortunately for Cotto, however, the fight was much closer than anyone could have possibly expected, and his stock has plummeted ever since.

Back in January of 2004, Gianluca Branco (36-1-1, 19 KO's) burst on the scene after he ventured outside his native Italy for only the second time, losing a close decision to heavy favorite Arturo Gatti in Atlantic City. Since then, we haven't seen or heard from the former European champion. Well, I suppose we've heard his excuses for backing out of potential fights with Junior Witter and Miguel Cotto, but not much in terms of actual fighting.

The odds are definitely stacked against the aging Italian veteran. Besides facing Gatti, Branco has almost zero experience against strong body punchers. He's usually willing to take three or four punches just to get off one of his own. Branco no doubt has heart and an exceptional chin to match, but when it comes to throwing leather, he doesn't do it very well. His best punch is a straight right hand, usually followed by a sloppy hook to the body. Inactivity has plagued Bronco as well, having fought only four times in a span of three years, and against limited opposition at that.

Doc's has done a free pick on this fight and we will continue our winning ways and better than 70 percent winning clip. As of today, the odds for a straight Branco victory are around +700. With a rumored PPV showdown with fellow prospect Paulie Mallignaggi on the horizon, look for Cotto to waste little time and put on the performance of his young career. To win the fight, Cotto has to use his superior hand speed to counter Branco's slow left hand, with hard hooks to the body.

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Current Odds:
Cotto to win -2000
Branco to win +700