Alvarez, whose only loss came to Floyd Mayweather Jr., set the tone early, winging big left hooks in the first round that Cotto largely avoided. The boxer from Puerto Rico connected with some nice combinations and attempted to fight on the inside a few times, but could not overcome the size and strength difference. The dates are both near Mexican holidays – Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence – but have not featured a Mexican or Mexican-American fighter in the A-side role since Mayweather beat Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. “And you know, if Mayweather wants to fight him – we can discuss that in the future”. “And this is a flawless example of the best fighting the best”. The WBC confirmed that it remains firm that the WBC proclaimed champion should face the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger, Gennady Golovkin, per another Boxing Scene article. Better yet for those contemplating spending $69.95 to watch it at home, it doesn’t figure to lack for action. But he clarified that he does not need to win a title to prove that he is a great fighter. Alvarez would be declared the WBC champion if he wins the bout, but the title would be vacant if Cotto wins.
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Meanwhile, Alvarez noted that he is now prepared for his face-off with Cotto. “I can be champion of whatever I want in my own house”, Cotto said in the Denver Post report. “This fight sells itself”. The fee for this fight was absurd to me.
It’s probably just as well, because the fight was barely a middleweight bout anyway. GGG fights at the true middleweight limit of 160-pounds, while Alvarez chooses to fight at the catchweight of around 154. For once, controversy or frustration wasn’t the prevailing theme out of one of the biggest fights of the year.
But Triple G has his fan base, too, selling out Madison Square Garden last month for a dominating win over David Lemieux. “If they find a way to make [the fight] bigger for themselves, we are supportive of those agreements that aren’t hurting a fighter with rights”.
De la Hoya refused to mention the fighters El Canelo would be facing on those dates. “Now it’s our job to bring them back”. After consecutive losses to Mayweather and Austin Trout, Cotto teamed with Roach and is 3-0 with three straight stoppages.
“I have respect for him, but if we do fight it’s going to be at my [natural] weight class [of junior middleweight]”.
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“We thought it was much closer than the scorecards showed”, said Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, who is Cotto’s trainer. “I’ll fight anytime. And if you guys don’t believe me, I’ll put the gloves back on and fight another 12 rounds”.
