Canelo: Three Years Ago I Knew I Could Beat Cotto

Mexico’s Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs), 25-years-old, has been thinking about fighting Miguel Cotto for the last three years.

On November 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Canelo will get the opportunity when he challenges Cotto (40-4, 33KOs) for the WBC middleweight championship at a catch-weight of 155-pounds.

Golden Boy Promotions, who promote Canelo, had plans to make the fight in 2013, but Cotto unexpectedly lost a twelve round decision to Austin Trout in December 2012. Then there were plans to make the fight in 2014, but Cotto passed on a $10 million dollar offer to instead face Sergio Martinez for the WBC crown.

They were trying to make a deal earlier this year. Those discussions fell apart as well, but now the fight is finalized and a few short months away.

"It's been about three years that my group, my team, we've been thinking about this fight. And obviously from three years on, as it moved closer with every fight, the fans started clamoring it and talking about it. So it's been on my mind for about three years," Canelo said.

"Three years ago [I knew I could win]. Three years ago when it first came in mind, because I knew I could win. That's why it came to my mind. It didn't happen for whatever reasons back then. But now the fight's here and we're very happy and anxious and grateful and thank God."

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/canelo-three-years-ago-i-knew-i-beat-cotto--95001

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Roach Sees Cotto-Canelo as Fight of The Year Scrap

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach believes the upcoming fight between Miguel Angel Cotto and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez will be a far different fight from the bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, which disappointed a lot of people back on May 2nd.

Cotto, who is trained by Roach, will defend his WBC middleweight title against Canelo on November 21st at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Roach is putting together a strategy to beat the young Mexican star. The fight takes place at a catch-weight of 155-pounds. HBO Pay-Per-View will broadcast the match.

"We have a great plan for Miguel. He is in condition. He's remained that way [since the last fight]. In addition, he throws more than Canelo. We have a great plan which is going to help us a lot. Miguel is really very dedicated and we have worked well together. I think it will be a very good fight and it should be the fight of the year, Roach said to ESPN Deportes.

Cotto will begin his official training with Roach in Los Angeles in mid-September.

"The fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao was very different. On this occasion, Miguel and his opponent will come to fight. I know the boxing world will enjoy it. I love this matchup," Roach said.
Cotto has a record of 40-4 and 31 knockouts, with Alvarez holding a ledger of 45-1-1 with 32 KOs.

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/roach-sees-cotto-canelo-fight-year-scrap--94976

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Margarito Feels Canelo Can Knock Cotto Out in Ten

Comebacking former champion Antonio Margarito of Mexico feels confident that his countryman, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, has what it takes to defeat, and knock out, WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto.

Canelo and Cotto will face each other in a highly anticipated fight on November 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Margarito has faced Cotto on two occasions, stopped the Puerto Rican fighter the first time in 2008 and then got stopped himself in their 2011 rematch.

"Some time ago I think the team of Canelo was angry because I said I thought that he would not be able to beat Floyd Mayweather, but now I think he has everything to gain. I even think he can knock [Cotto] out in about 0 rounds or win on points, but he will win," said Margarito to ESPN Deportes.

"Unlike many other people, I think Canelo has indeed improved. We've seen him get better and I think this fight comes at a time that suits him. He is young, strong, fast."

Margarito says Cotto, since joining up with Freddie Roach, is "more of a boxer and more calculating" but he hasn't noticed "much of a difference." He discounts any notion that Cotto punches any harder and says Canelo is the bigger hitter between the two.

Source: BoxingScene

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Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez official for November 21st

Some boxing fans were let down by the "Fight of the Century" between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao back in May. I don't think they'll have any worries about being disappointed by the next huge attraction the sport will offer up - a PPV bout between Miguel Cotto and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. After months of negotiations, the bout is now official for November 21st at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Canelo posted about it on his Instagram today:

The fight will be televised on HBO PPV, but pricing details are unknown at this point. It will also be contested at a 155 lbs catchweight, but Cotto's WBC middleweight belt (160 lbs) will be on the line, and technically both fighters weighing in at 155 would make it a middleweight fight.

Cotto (40-4, 33 KO) and Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KO) are arguably the sport's two biggest stars after Floyd and Manny, and their bout will re-ignite the passionate Puerto Rico vs. Mexico boxing rivalry. Cotto has won three in a row since a loss to Austin Trout, most recently defeating Daniel Geale by fourth-round TKO in June. Alvarez is also on a three-fight winning streak, the last of which came via thunderous KO against James Kirkland in a stadium show in May.

Source: BloodyElbow

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Cotto vs. Canelo: Miguel Cotto reportedly will make up to $30 million for mega-fight

The big news in boxing today was the formal announcement of Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez for November 21st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cotto's WBC middleweight belt will be on the line, although the fight will take place at a 155 lbs catchweight. It's a big HBO PPV event expected to be priced at $64.95, although that's not official. Details on tickets and other things will be ironed out later on this week and into next week.

I've held the opinion that Cotto vs. Canelo is the biggest and most lucrative fight to be made in boxing that doesn't involve either Mayweather or Pacquiao, and if ESPN Deportes' report (Spanish-language only) is anything to go by, Miguel Cotto is looking at a career payday. Bloody Elbow's John Nash tweeted out the details:

Of course, the $30 million target will change depending on how strong PPV sales are for this fight. Here are some past pay-per-view payouts for Cotto:

• vs. Manny Pacquiao (2009) - Estimated $12 million after receiving 35% of the PPV share (1.25 million buys)
• Rematch vs. Antonio Margarito (2011) - $5 million guaranteed + PPV percentage (fight drew 600,000 buys)
• vs. Floyd Mayweather (2012) - $8 million guaranteed purse, which is the highest salary he's ever recorded.
• vs. Sergio Martinez (2014) - $7 million guaranteed (with a $3 million purse)

So while Mexican superstar Canelo (45-1-1, 32 KOs) is assuredly the favorite to beat the Puerto Rican legend, Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) is getting the A-side money here. However, once this fight is done and if Canelo wins, expect Alvarez's paydays to increase considerably. His last fight vs. James Kirkland netted him somewhere in the $3.5 million range and it was televised on HBO proper. Alvarez's highest guaranteed purse was $5 million in his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Read More: BloodyElbow

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