By Gerardo Granados: It has been reported as official and next November 21 at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada; former light middleweight champion Saul Canelo Alvarez will challenge four weight division champion Miguel Cotto for the WBC middleweight strap, but at a heinous catch weight of 155 pounds – only one extra pound above the inferior weight division and four pounds away from the middleweight division limit.
Against an elite level boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, Canelo´s corner was missing thru twelve rounds being unable to properly advice Canelo, who never adjusted and looked poor because his corner came up with a wrong game plan and never even took advantage of his pupil natural advantages.
I think that there is no doubt that Cotto´s ring smarts and ring IQ is superior to Canelo and he will take advantage of it against Alvarez who looks impressive against stationary targets but struggles against smart boxers.
Cotto´s corner men are way superior to Canelo´s. The reader wouldn’t dare to discuss that Chepo and Eddy Reynoso are better trainers than Freddie Roach.
Canelo has the size edge, is strong young lion but the veteran lion king has the experience and still is strong enough to go toe to toe against his younger foe. Punching power is even, also speed and chin but Cotto´s footwork is better and is a better counter puncher than Canelo. So to me this bout it’s not about whom can hit harder or endurance but about who can be patient and create openings and also of who will be able to capitalize on his opponent mistakes.
If Cotto stays in front of Canelo he could end in trouble, he should use head movement, circle him, throw combos early, then mid late in the fight once he have timed and set distance go after him looking for to hurt him with all his punches. His jab is a must, looping rights and uppers which I believe Canelo can be hit with quite ease. Cotto must be unpredictable and force Canelo to think.
Canelo must cut corners, keep his chin low guard high, he tends to drop his right after throwing a combination, he better go to the body early and try to outwork and out-punch Cotto. Canelo should try to get inside, set mid close range, if he stays at long range Cotto might pick him apart punching and then moving out of range.
What will happen if the game plan fails, will Canelo´s corner be up to the task. Cotto is not a flat footed brawler or straight forward fighter with average defensive skills who makes many mistakes. Will Eddie and Chepo do the same they did when they went totally silent instead of use their expertise to advice Canelo or will they be able to decipher Cotto´s boxing style and adjust.
Maybe Eddie and Chepo will do their job right. Perhaps Freddie Roach will be able to design a blue print to defeat a younger lion. But for sure this bout has the potential to become a fight of the year nominee.
I´ll be honest to the reader, I don’t think that Canelo´s corner is up to the task. But what about the reader, do you agree?
Comments are closed.