Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, promoted four division champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico for the bulk of his career - from point that he turned professional in 2000 until the moment they parted ways in 2011.

Cotto would then compete as a free agent. There was a brief reunion with Top Rank a few years later, before Cotto left again to fight under the Golden Boy Promotions banner.

Arum's stepson and president of Top Rank, Todd DeBuff, had advised the veteran promoter to sign the Puerto Rican star after seeing Cotto in an amateur tournament in Korea despite being eliminated in the first round.

“I asked him what was the rush to sign him. Todd told me he was going to be a great professional. So I was a bit skeptical,” Arum recalled in a phone call with El Nuevo Dia. "So we signed him and he ended up being a great professional."

It was announced on Tuesday that Cotto would be part of the 2022 class that will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame next June.

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican will receive the honor after being eligible for the IBHOF last year.

Cotto is the only Puerto Rican male fighter to win world championships in four different divisions [140, 147, 154 and 160 pounds]. He finished his career with a record of 41-6 with 33 knockouts.

“We had a great journey with Miguel. He was a fantastic fighter. He was dedicated, he worked hard, and he accomplished great things in boxing. He certainly deserves to be in the Boxing Hall of Fame. So I'm very proud of that and of him. I have great memories in the years that we represented him, particularly the events at Madison Square Garden that coincided with the Puerto Rican Parade in June in New York,” said Arum.

“I can't say there was a particular moment [when I knew he would be a great fighter], but I remember early in his career I recognized his greatness. Despite being knocked down [in a fight], he quickly got up and won the fight. Also, contrary to other fighters, particularly Puerto Rican boxers, his personal life was not one of partying. He was dedicated in training. 

“He is one of the best fighters of our time. There are great memories in New York and Las Vegas. He never backed down to fight anyone. He was a brave warrior. He fought the best around him, be it Manny Pacquiao or Margarito. It was always against someone at the top. There was never a problem accepting a fight."