Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez: Fight Preview
On Saturday night, middleweight world champion Miguel Cotto and former light middleweight titlist Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will be battling it out for 160-pound supremacy.
It is a match-up that has been talked about as far back as 2013, as it is pitting two of the best middleweights in the game today. Add to that, the legendary Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry scenario: Alvarez represents the former, while Cotto represents the latter.
A 14-year veteran of the sport, the 35-year old Cotto has faced the who's who in boxing. From former world champions Zab Judah, Shane Mosley and Paulie Malignaggi, to legends such as Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr, Cotto has gone through the toughest opposition and holds notable victories over some of them.
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He won the World Boxing Council (WBC) world middleweight title, Lineal and Ring Magazine titles in June of last year, when he faced and defeated Argentine boxing sensation Sergio Martinez via tenth round stoppage. He is believed to have shown improvement since being under the tutelage of renowned trainer Freddie Roach in October 2013.
Since their partnership, Cotto has been 3-0 in his last fights. Miguel Cotto holds a win-loss slate of 40-4, with 33 victories by knockout.
Alvarez, on the other hand, may be a decade younger than Cotto, but already holds a wealth of experience.
Since his professional debut in 2005, "Canelo" managed to win the first 41 fights of his career, also going against world champions such as Shane Mosley, Josesito Lopez, and Kermit Cintron.
He holds a record of 45-1-1, with his lone loss coming in the hands of undefeated boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr.
While Cotto holds the slight experience advantage, Alvarez's youth will also be of great benefit. Most boxing pundits, however, believe that it is the Mexican fighter who will likely end up with the victory.
"It's hard to pick against Canelo, who is 10 years younger, a whole lot fresher and should be able to back up Cotto, whose biggest weakness is the inability to fight in retreat," said ESPN's Dan Rafael, who predicted a Canelo win in the tenth round by TKO.
"Canelo is younger, bigger and too strong!" said Timothy Bradley's trainer Teddy Atlas, who predicts a unanimous decision victory for Alvarez.
"As Mexican, logically I'm rooting for Canelo Alvarez," said legend Julio Cesar Chavez. "I also lean toward him for his youth, strength and hunger for winning the fight."
The fight is scheduled to take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
