Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez: Time, Channel, Odds & Prediction

This Saturday we look forward to one of the year’s most anticipated fistic encounters when Ring Magazine middleweight champion Miguel Cotto defends his titles, and his reputation, taking on Mexican boxing icon Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fight will be broadcast live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The price for the telecast will be $59.99.

In the U.K., Box Nation kicks off on Sunday at 1 a.m.

Read on for your betting odds, a preview of the fighters, and a prediction.

---

Favorite and Odds to Win

Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) enters the fight a favorite in Vegas and on online sportsbooks (see below). But Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) is a seasoned pro who has faced some of the best, and he may just have the experience it takes to give the young redhead a lesson he won’t soon forget.

“I believe this is going to be the best fight of the year,” said Cotto’s trainer Freddie Roach at a recent open workout. “I think it’s a great match up. I think its youth versus experience. How much is Canelo’s youth going to take a toll on him? How much will it help him? I think you get a little bit of everything. You get Mexico versus Puerto Rico. This fight brings a lot to the table.”

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

bet365: Miguel Cotto +250  Canelo Alvarez -333

skyBET: Miguel Cotto +225  Canelo Alvarez -275

totesport: Miguel Cotto +225  Canelo Alvarez -300

BoyleSports: Miguel Cotto +200  Canelo Alvarez -250

---

The Protagonists: Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez

Cotto, the first Puerto Rican to become world champion in four different weight classes was last in action stopping Daniel Geale in June. Prior to the Geale encounter Cotto had dispatched middleweight legend Sergio Martinez in June of 2014 to lift the WBC World middleweight title. The former Olympian and future hall of famer has tangled with some of the biggest names in the sport including Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Shane Mosely.

“As I have always said, during my whole career, I am here to fight the best names and the best fighters,” said Cotto. “This will be another chapter in my career and I will be ready for [Alvarez]. Fans will enjoy a real fight, another classic battle in the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”

A smart boxer with great punching power and variety, excellent generalship, and fast hands, 35-year-old Cotto brings a complete game to the table. Working behind a solid jab, Cotto will throw bombs or in combinations, works devastatingly well to the body, and wields a left hook that is considered to be one of the sport’s most effective weapons.

“The biggest tool I have on my side is [trainer] Freddie Roach,” said Cotto. “They know what Freddie Roach means in boxing. They know what Freddie Roach is capable of doing with Miguel Cotto.”

At only 25 years old, Canelo Alvarez has already become one of today’s most popular boxers, thanks to his come-forward brand of high-power offense and his Hollywood star good looks. The Jalisco, Mexico native has blazing hands– easily throwing six or seven-punch combinations– crushing one-punch knockout power, and a dependable chin.

Two-time world champion Canelo comes to Saturday’s fight having demolished James Kirkland, squeaked by Erislandy Lara, and bulldozed through Alfredo Angulo since his only career defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013.

“All of my fights I learned something,” said Alvarez. “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 November 21.”

On the evening’s televised undercard: Takashi Miura defend his WBC super featherweight title against Francisco Vargas; and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios kick off the broadcast with 10 rounds of featherweight action.

Next: My prediction.

---

Prediction

“There’s nothing stronger than youth.”

-Freddie Roach

We have a fascinating matchup between two certified icons in store for us this weekend. Yet one can’t ignore Canelo’s 10-year age advantage over the reigning champ– a hard-fought 10 years, that saw Cotto taking pulp beatdowns at the hands of Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito that would have retired most boxers, and have left Cotto’s face vulnerable to cutting and swelling.

Canelo on the other hand, despite his prodigious 47-fight resume, enters the fight fresh in comparison and, with recent late-round wins over Lara and Angulo, has answered the questions that remained regarding his stamina.

Runners give Canelo fits. Look for Cotto to capitalize on Canelo’s lack of mobility by immediately taking to the perimeter of the ring and keeping the redhead on the move, creating opportunities to dart in, land punches, and move on.

But make no mistake: just because Canelo can’t dance his way around the ring, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t know his way around it, and I expect Saul to effectively cut off the ring on his fleet-footed opponent and back him into the ropes to begin work on the body and on breaking down the veteran star until he is ripe for a late-round stoppage.

Guy’s pick: Canelo Alvarez wins by TKO

---

Find out how to watch this fight for free through DISH Latino at AhoraMismo.com:

0 Comments