Famed Puerto Rican boxing referee and ESPN Deportes analyst Joe Cortez believe Miguel Cotto will overpower Juan Manual Marquez, should the two Latin American fighters square off in the ring.

The 71-year old referee predicts Cotto's punching power and size will pose a serious problem for Marquez. On top of that, the Puerto Rican slugger is just 35-years old. In the sport of boxing, Cotto is by no means a young fighter, but he still is seven years younger than the 42-year old Marquez.

Cortez told El Vocero via Boxing Scene that aside from being the older gentleman, Marquez is also smaller in weight compared to Cotto. El Dinamita has yet to fight above the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Meanwhile, Cotto has the physique of a junior middleweight.

"I think that Juan Manuel Marquez is a very experienced fighter and has a good punch," explained Cortez. "However, I think he's too small to face Miguel Cotto, who is a solid veteran at 154 pounds. He is too strong for Marquez."

According to Box Rec, Marquez currently holds a 56-7-1 record. He has not been knocked out in his entire professional career, while 70 percent of his victories were from knockouts.

El Dinamita has not stepped into the ring since 2014, when he beat Mike Alvarado by unanimous decision. Marquez was last linked to IBF world welterweight champion Kell Brook, though the Mexican's knee soreness has stalled the deal.

In the other corner, Cotto owns a record of 40-5, with no draws. His last two fights generated mixed results. He won against Daniel Geale in June 2015, stopping the 34-year old Australian in just four rounds. In November, he lost to Saul "Canelo" Alavarez via unanimous decision at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

While Cortez strongly believes Marquez will succumb to Cotto in the ring, El Dinamita's trainer Nacho Beristain told Fox Deportes per Boxing Scene that Marquez could still fight at a high level, despite the long sabbatical.

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

Cotto's trainer, Freddie Roach, has expressed interest in a Marquez fight. He shared with Boxing News that the Marquez camp seems open to the idea as well.

 "I don't know if it will go anywhere but it might. That would probably be at 147lbs, I think we can still make that weight," said Roach. "I don't think Miguel will go any lower than that. 147 to 150lbs would be good."