COTTO-CANELO PREVIEW
By Ralph Rimpell
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Nov 2015
There?s a buzz in Las Vegas. It?s not every day, week, or month this happens. It?s more like every few years on the average that two fighters on the threshold of greatness agree to fight. Those two fighters are Puerto Rico?s Miguel Cotto, the lineal middleweight champion, and Mexico?s Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez, already a superstar at the age of 25.
Next to Mayweather-Pacquiao, this is the biggest fight in boxing. At the age of 35 with a career spanning over 15 years, Miguel Cotto is in the twilight of his career. With a professional record of 44-4, 33KOs, he has captured four world titles in 4 divisions and has beaten some of the best fighters in boxing. Reports are he plans on fighting for one more year after this fight.
Canelo Alvarez?s professional record stands at 47-1-1, 32 KOs. He has captured two world titles in the junior middleweight division and has come off an impressive victory by brutally knocking out the capable James Kirkland. Both fighters fought and went the distance with boxing superstar Floyd ?Money? Mayweather who is allegedly retired. The winner of this fight will inherit Floyd Mayweather?s throne as the new ?money? fighter in boxing.
Cotto makes the first defense of his lineal middleweight title. Cotto was stripped of his WBC (World Boxing Council) middleweight title this week due to differences with the WBC. Canelo will be the recognized WBC middleweight champion should he defeat Cotto, as per the WBC. Canelo will also be the lineal middleweight champion as well. Miguel Cotto is guaranteed a reported $30 million for this fight and Canelo a reported $6.5 million. Both those purses can easily increase depending on PPV (pay per view) sales, foreign TV, merchandise sale, etc. What are the keys to victory for both fighters?
Miguel Cotto has looked great since being under the guidance of trainer Freddie Roach. He has won three fights and looks as though he has regained his old form since losing to Austin Trout. Miguel Cotto has speed, punching power, ring intelligence, and experience. He is also 35 years old. Miguel will be in the best shape of his life for Canelo. Freddie Roach will give him the game plan to defeat Canelo. Cotto must use his speed and give boxing angles. Cotto must also fight when pressed by Canelo. Cotto must earn Canelo?s respect with his punching power or else Canelo will attempt to walk through Cotto for a KO victory. Cotto must be able to keep this up for the entire 12 rounds.
Canelo is the physically bigger fighter. Rumor has it he walks around at 185lbs. He agreed to Cotto?s catch weight of 155lbs even though they're fighting for the middleweight title of 160lbs. On fight night, Canelo could conceivably weigh 175lbs. Canelo has to impose his size on Cotto and wear him down bit by bit. The million dollar question is can Cotto stand Canelo?s punching power? Don?t expect anything new from Canelo. He is strong, smart, and relentless. He has gotten this far with his fighting style and likely will remain the same for this fight. This is fight can go either way. If Cotto can withstand Canelo?s power then he will outbox Canelo to a split decision victory or late round TKO. If Cotto cannot withstand Canelo?s power, look for Canelo to stop Cotto by the 9th or 10th round.
This writer picks Canelo to win this fight by the later rounds in a very close fight on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
Contact writer: RLuvsboxing@aol.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ralph Rimpell.
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