Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto prepare for November 21 fight

Photo Credit: Gene Blevins - Hoganphotos /
 Roc Nation Sports / Golden Boy Promotions

Los Angeles -- A long-awaited matchup for many boxing fans is finally here, as two of the sport's better boxer-punchers and pay-per-view draws will battle on Saturday, November 21, when reigning WBC, Ring Magazine, and Lineal Middleweight World Champion, Miguel Cotto, takes on former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The bout will be televised on HBO Pay-Per-View and tickets currently are on sale.

"I’m honored to be fighting a true warrior," said Canelo of his veteran opponent.

On Monday, the pair launched their four-city press tour here in Los Angeles, at the Hollywood and Highland Center in front of a large crowd of fans.  Those fans could be in for a real treat down the line, as not only should the Canelo-Cotto fight be an entertaining contest, but the victor will also likely be ordered by the WBC to fight the winner of another excellent middleweight bout on the horizon, David Lemieux versus Gennady Golovkin.

“I have my eye on my career and this is the best fight for my career right now, so I’m ready to do what needs to be done to be on top,” said Cotto.

The fact this fight follows a long tradition of great rivalry bouts between boxers from Puerto Rico (Cotto) and Mexico (Canelo) certainly was not lost on those involved.

“The world is talking about this fight," said Oscar De La Hoya, owner of Golden Boy Promotions, who had his own classic Mexico-Puerto Rico matchup against Felix Trinidad.  "The rich history between Mexico and Puerto Rico makes this truly exciting."

The 12-round fight will be for Cotto’s WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championships, and will feature two fighters who have revitalized their careers since each man lost to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather.

Alvarez has continued his ascent to superstar status, recently defeating slugger James Kirkland by stoppage in an exciting bout.

Cotto, meanwhile, has completely turned his career around since teaming up with trainer Freddie Roach, as he has reintroduced his powerful left hook back into his attack, and has moved up in weight to win a middleweight title.

Roach, who often seems to know something the rest of us don't when it comes to fight predictions, stated, "We have hard preparation ahead of us, but we will be ready and Cotto will win by knockout."

Canelo, who like Cotto, is always respectful towards his opponents at these press events, managed to get in his own under-the-radar view of the fight as well, stating, “I’m a stronger, more mature fighter. For me, the time is right for this.”

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services