The long-awaited bout between Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) and Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) is finally a reality, as Roc Nation Sports and Golden Boy Promotions announced that the two superstars will clash in a classic Puerto Rico versus Mexico 12-round battle on Saturday, November 21, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. On the line will be Cotto's WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championship belts. The fight will be televised on HBO Pay-Per-View.
“I will give the fans the fight they want to see,” said Cotto. “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 versus Mexico rivalry.”
Other than Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Alvarez and Cotto are the sport's next top pay-per-view draws. However, unlike the dull Mayweather-Pacquiao bout, this matchup figures to be an exciting fight between two excellent boxer-punchers who each have performed brilliantly in their recent bouts.
“Historically, mega-fights are made because fans demand them,” said Alvarez. “In this case, the fans have spoken out, longing for this fight and it is my pleasure to say that it is finally happening. 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.”
The rivalry, which dates back to the 1930s, has seen epic clashes including those between Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Gomez, Julio Cesar Chavez and Hector “Macho” Camacho, and Oscar De La Hoya and Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
“This is the ‘Fight of the Year’ that true boxing fans have been waiting for between two of the biggest stars in the sport today, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Cotto versus Canelo will be an epic showdown, full of non-stop action from the moment the first bell rings. This fight is an example of exactly what Golden Boy Promotions does: puts on the best fights between top fighters in the primes of their careers.”
Although middleweight belts are on the line, both men probably are more comfortable at 154 pounds, and perhaps that is why the bout will be contested at 155 pounds. The victor could find another big bout waiting for him against a legitimate middleweight, namely the winner of Lemieux-Golovkin.
Miguel Cotto is the reigning WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion and the first native of Puerto Rico to become world champion in four different weight classes. Cotto has competed in 23 world championship fights, compiling a record of 19-4 with 16 knockouts in those bouts. He is trained by legendary Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
At the age of 25, Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez has conquered the boxing world, captivating fans both in Mexico and around the globe with his action-packed fighting style, charisma, and willingness to take on the toughest challenges. Since his loss to Mayweather, Alvarez has won three straight fights, defeating Alfredo Angulo, Erislandy Lara, and James Kirkland.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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