Even before his fight with Australia’s Daniel Geale, it was something of an open secret that WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto was lined up to fight Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez later this year, and now the fight is officially a done deal for November 21st at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, excitement among fans is building all across social media.
The fight will take place on HBO PPV at an expected 155lb catchweight, which is seemingly becoming the done thing for a Miguel Cotto middleweight defence, given by his own admission he isn’t a true 160lb fighter – and it will fast ignite the flames of the traditional Mexico v Puerto Rico boxing rivalry that has given fans some terrific contests over the years.
Speaking at the announcement, Alvarez’s promoter, Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya – who fought his own fights against Puerto Ricans such as Hector Camacho and “Tito” Trinidad, said;
“Both Cotto and Canelo want it, and the fans have been asking for it,We are pleased to be working with Roc Nation (Cotto’s promoter) to make this fight a reality for the fans. It will have everything that the fans want to see in boxing, and that’s action and intensity.”
It was left to Golden Boy and Alvarez to quell the fan disappointment and fallout from May 2nd’s Mayweather/Pacquiao fight with Canelo’s stunning ko performance against James Kirkland on May 9th, and should September 12th’s Mayweather/Berto PPV bloody the nose of fans once again, it will likely be Alvarez mopping up the mess with this fight against Cotto – a clash which is promising to live up to its billing as a FOTY candidate.
Speaking at the launch Alvarez said;
“It was a little long, the process (of making the fight), but that’s usual or common when there’s fights at that level. I never lost faith that it was going to happen.
“I have many more fights to come, but this is one of the ones that I’ve been craving and wanting so bad. The fans have spoken out, longing for this fight and it is my pleasure to say that it is finally happening.
“Historically, mega-fights are made because fans demand them. All fights at this level are very important, but this fight in particular has something more. It will hold a special place in history as part of the big rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, and I promise all the fans that this is going to be an event that will not disappoint.”
For his part, Cotto was keen to promise that, whatever happens, fans will see excitement;
“In my era, Canelo is just another name,” he said. “Bring another big name to my record, that’s what I see. … Everybody knows what a fight between a Mexican and Puerto Rican means for boxing. People can expect the same from us.”
“I will give the fans the fight they want to see. As I have always said, during my whole career, I am here to fight the best names and the best fighters.
“This will be another chapter in my career and I will be ready for him. Fans will enjoy a real fight, another classic battle in the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”
The winner will be slated to defend against WBC mandatory and WBA (sup) champion Gennady Golovkin should he come through his Oct 17th PPV date against IBF champ David Lemieux, also on HBO.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
