By Paco Gurrola: Many writers and bloggers have made it clear that their top contender for the November 21st clash between WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) is the most experienced and mature fighter of them both, 34-year-old Cotto.
Cotto has had a great boxing career with his ups and downs like most fighters in the sport during his career. Miguel is an amazing person, very humble and takes his job very seriously as we all know.
Cotto has a loving family and not only is he a boxer, but is also a father and a husband. As to why critics, writers and bloggers give him the edge? Well, let’s take a look at some key points here.
Many writers in the sport today see Cotto coming out victorious against all odds on November 21st, which makes you wonder their analogy. If you compare both fighters you will notice that both of these fighters can hit hard and like to go for the knockout.
Cotto has great ring IQ and can use his great movement to slip from some big punches to the head, not so much to the body. Cotto at the age of 34 counts with lots of experience and an eye catching resume in terms of experience despite whether he lost against the big names and opposition he faced. Coming out of a loss against Manny Pacquiao, Cotto was able to come back and get 3 wins under his belt including the popular Mexican fighter Antonio Margarito. Cotto had gained credibility once again and seemed a complete different fighter.
It all came to an end on May 5th 2012 when facing PPV king Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. giving him a close and interesting fight yet taking a loss followed by another depressing loss against Austin Trout whom down the road was knocked down and beaten by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. After both defeats Cotto faced “C” level opposition in fighters like Delvin Rodriguez, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (coming out of an injury) and a worn looking Daniel Geale. Cotto is coming into the ring with 3 wins against “C” level opposition fighters and is ready to take on Canelo.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, a young and exciting fighter is coming off of three wins against two “C” and one “B” level opponents in Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara, and James Kirkland. For some writers and critics, Canelo lost his fight against Lara. But the fact is that Canelo won the fight on which Lara did a lot of running and Canelo failed to do enough pressing, yet came out victorious. When comparing ring IQ against Cotto, it is almost clear that Cotto has the edge.
Cotto has great ring generalship, he moves very well and can use that to his advantage. Canelo’s ring IQ needs improvement, yet it is overshadowed by his speed and power. If Canelo catches Cotto with a good punch to the body or head and hurts him, it is very likely Canelo will pursue the knock-out. Canelo has very aggressive combinations, he goes very well to the body using powerful hooks combined with speed; he also has a popular uppercut that has been used effectively in recent fights, asked Angulo about it.
It is likely for the fight to begin as a chess match, were both fighters will try to figure out one another. It is also very possible that Cotto being the more experienced fighter will try to take the fight to Canelo establishing a point of being the “A” side in that ring. It won’t take long for Canelo to adjust into the fight and start taking over it with powerful shots, speed, and combinations. Mentally for Canelo this is a big challenge in his career which maximizes his desire to win. For Cotto who is closest to retirement this happens to be another fight.
Another important factor is the fighter’s chin. In these types of fights having a good strong chin is key.
Can they take a punch?
It is quite simple. We have previously seen a stunned and knocked down Cotto before in his career. Canelo has yet to visit the cambas so far.
I think it is clear that we have two great and talented fighters that will face each other come November 21st, but the edge I give to Canelo being that he is the younger, stronger, faster and hungrier fighter. I believe that Canelo has the possibility to hurt Cotto and knock him out. I am also open to the possibility that Cotto may get a unanimous win by points against Canelo by just landing a few shots from a distance and moving a lot, yet I see that very unlikely.
The Cotto-Canelo fight will be taking place on November 21st at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be televised on HBO pay-per-view.
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