Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, the only man who can win the WBC middleweight title on Saturday night thanks to the sanctioning body withdrawing recognition of Miguel Cotto as champion, has shrugged off claims from Cotto trainer Freddie Roach that he is too inexperienced at elite level, saying he has learned something from each of his 47 pro contests.
The enormously popular former 154 lb champion is seeking to continue building towards his legacy with a statement win over his Puerto Rican rival – who is entering the final throes of a Hall of Fame worthy career – yet esteemed 7x trainer of the year Roach, has claimed that the 25yr old lacks stamina, as well as enough elite names on his ledger to be able to handle a fighter as quick, smart and powerful as he believes Cotto still is.
“All of my fights, I learned something,” Alvarez said via translator. “There are some important fights, there are some difficult fights, but with all these combined fights you gain experience, and with that experience I’m going to display that on Saturday night.”
The two share common opponents in Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley and Austin Trout, with mixed results for each, although ‘Canelo’ feels comparisons between those, as well as his own nightmare first round against Cotto’s less accomplished elder brother, Jose, in 2010 will not factor in on the night.
“All fights are different, all styles are different, so [comparisons are] not going to affect me at all,” he added.
“He may have done better [than I did] against Mayweather. However, I did better against Austin Trout, and Cotto didn’t do that good against Austin Trout.
“Once it’s over, we will determine which direction we will go. This is a very difficult, 50/50 fight. I’m here, I’m ready to win, and I’m willing to win. All my fights are necessary to win.”
Should Canelo win the fight and claim the WBC middleweight title, he will then be ordered to face mandatory challenger, Gennady Golovkin, who also holds IBF and WBA straps. Should he lose, the title will remain vacant and Golovkin will fight the WBC #2 – currently Argentina’s Jorge Sebastian Heiland.
Before Cotto’s stripping, which was brought about by him refusing to pay the title sanctioning fees, both he and Alvarez had shown an obvious reluctance to face Golovkin at the right and proper 160 lb middleweight limit.
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