Corona presents Hall of Fame Boxing Announcer Al Bernstein in a pre-fight Q & A, meet and greet and book signing at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino Friday, November 20, the day before the Miguel Cotto-Canelo Alvarez fight.
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“Cotto vs. Canelo is the biggest fight in boxing, period”, said David Itskowitch of Roc Nation Sports.
Cotto, who was scheduled to defend his title next against Canelo Alvarez, was stripped of his championship due to a failure to adhere to unspecified rules.
“The WBC is proud of that accomplishment that is giving boxing fans around the world a very important fight to see”.
The WBC hereby announces that effective immediately has withdrawn recognition of Miguel Cotto as WBC World Middleweight Champion.
Cotto, victor of world titles in four weight divisions, is still considered the lineal champion. Golovkin was the mandatory challenger to Cotto’s title because he holds an Interim WBC middleweight title, so he was technically supposed to fight Cotto next.
The 34-year-old takes a record of 40-4 with 33 knockouts into the bout against Alvarez – who can still claim the vacant title with a victory on Saturday.
No specifics were given by the WBC regarding the rules the 35-year-old Cotto failed to abide by, but it is possible that his affinity for catchweight fights rubbed the council the wrong way in addition to the potential monetary issue. Simply put: they are not willing to respect the very same rules and conditions which applied to Cotto becoming WBC champion.
According to one of the sources, the WBC declined to negotiate a lower sanctioning fee – something it has often done in megafights involving superstars such as Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya.
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He was relieved of the belt because the WBC cited him for “noncompliance with the organization’s rules and regulations”. Fans are in for a great time as Al breaks down the fight card and offers his unique and candid perspective on what is expected to be one of the most exciting boxing events in 2015..
