Fibroso
10-15-2013, 01:14 PM
Canelo vs. Cotto: The obvious best fight for both men 16 hours ago by Jake Emen Yahoo Sports
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http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/PpXS4loN0NToeudq34iwhw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2013-09-15/83302ae5-4b11-4dae-aab0-29011dfcc848_caneloalvarez800_915ap.jpgCanelo Alvarez couldn't quite measure up to Floyd Mayweather in September. (Getty)
COMMENTARY | Two of the biggest names in the sport are in need of a big fight, and a big win. They happen to reside in the same weight division, and have long been rumored to be on each other's short list of potential opponents.
For Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs) and Miguel Cotto (38-4, 31 KOs), there couldn't be a better fight. Canelo vs. Cotto is the best fight to make for both men, a perfect opportunity for each of their careers, and it would make a great spectacle for fans.
When Cotto took on the undefeated Austin Trout in December 2012, he took a risk by facing a talented, tough opponent, hoping to score a big win and land a mega-fight against Canelo for the beginning of 2013. Instead, Trout picked up the win and landed the fight against Canelo, eventually losing a close decision, which in turn led to Canelo's recent challenge against Floyd Mayweather.
Canelo was dominated by the undefeated pound-for-pound kingpin, and despite the fact that he was (over)hyped as one of Mayweather's toughest challenges ever, there's no shame in a one-sided losing effort against Mayweather. Meanwhile, it was actually Cotto who was able to put a scare into Money Mayweather, forcing him into a rougher than expected evening back in May 2012.
Cotto, meanwhile, returned to the ring in a big way after a 10-month layoff, putting on the best performance he's had in years, as he smashed Delvin Rodriguez to pieces in less than three rounds in Orlando on October 5.
Why Canelo vs. Cotto makes perfect sense
There's no other fight at this time which would be as lucrative for either Canelo or Cotto, or offer the same potential reward in terms of their careers and standing in the sport, than a fight between the two.
The two fighters share a very similar recent history, having each fought Trout and Mayweather over the past 18 months. While Mayweather's dominance is unquestioned at the top of the junior middleweight division, Canelo and Cotto remain top-five fighters in that class.
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http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/uYX73dk3hV8nGGh1LeDmeA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTMxMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2013-10-05/8229ea50-daf8-40c5-ad08-270eadad0ee1_cotto-roach.jpegUnder new trainer Freddie Roach, Miguel Cotto is looking as good as ever. (Getty)
Also, consider that Canelo's team has to handle their fighter carefully right now and make a smart decision about his next fight.
Facing another woefully overmatched fighter, as Canelo had been consistently fed up until Trout and Mayweather, could do more harm than good, signaling a lack of confidence, and hindering his ability to grow following the recent setback.
Agreeing to fight Cotto would say that they believe their man is very much a force to be reckoned with, and there's no reason for tune-ups. It's not a bad style matchup for Canelo, either, as he's not facing a pure speedster or slickster. He'd be in his element and would be able to find a home for his aggressive offense, and the younger, bigger, stronger Alvarez would still be a favorite in the fight.
Cotto has shown over the past few years that he's always up for facing the best competition. His confidence sky-high with his latest win, and his pairing with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has paid dividends already. Cotto would never balk at a chance to fight Canelo, size and age be damned.
Roach and Cotto, like Team Canelo, would consider this fight a plus as they aren't facing a slick or tricky boxer. Cotto would have the edge in technical skill in this match, even if he'd have to try to turn back the much more physically stronger man, something he has struggled with in the past.
The promoters could put this fight anywhere, and it would sell out. It's a fight between two of the best in the division, two of the sport's biggest stars, and two men with a shared recent history and a need to get back to the top. The winner would be able to call his own shots at the top of the junior middleweight division.
Canelo vs. Cotto is a no-brainer, so hopefully the powers that be don't let this opportunity pass.
.
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/PpXS4loN0NToeudq34iwhw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2013-09-15/83302ae5-4b11-4dae-aab0-29011dfcc848_caneloalvarez800_915ap.jpgCanelo Alvarez couldn't quite measure up to Floyd Mayweather in September. (Getty)
COMMENTARY | Two of the biggest names in the sport are in need of a big fight, and a big win. They happen to reside in the same weight division, and have long been rumored to be on each other's short list of potential opponents.
For Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs) and Miguel Cotto (38-4, 31 KOs), there couldn't be a better fight. Canelo vs. Cotto is the best fight to make for both men, a perfect opportunity for each of their careers, and it would make a great spectacle for fans.
When Cotto took on the undefeated Austin Trout in December 2012, he took a risk by facing a talented, tough opponent, hoping to score a big win and land a mega-fight against Canelo for the beginning of 2013. Instead, Trout picked up the win and landed the fight against Canelo, eventually losing a close decision, which in turn led to Canelo's recent challenge against Floyd Mayweather.
Canelo was dominated by the undefeated pound-for-pound kingpin, and despite the fact that he was (over)hyped as one of Mayweather's toughest challenges ever, there's no shame in a one-sided losing effort against Mayweather. Meanwhile, it was actually Cotto who was able to put a scare into Money Mayweather, forcing him into a rougher than expected evening back in May 2012.
Cotto, meanwhile, returned to the ring in a big way after a 10-month layoff, putting on the best performance he's had in years, as he smashed Delvin Rodriguez to pieces in less than three rounds in Orlando on October 5.
Why Canelo vs. Cotto makes perfect sense
There's no other fight at this time which would be as lucrative for either Canelo or Cotto, or offer the same potential reward in terms of their careers and standing in the sport, than a fight between the two.
The two fighters share a very similar recent history, having each fought Trout and Mayweather over the past 18 months. While Mayweather's dominance is unquestioned at the top of the junior middleweight division, Canelo and Cotto remain top-five fighters in that class.
.
http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/uYX73dk3hV8nGGh1LeDmeA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTMxMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2013-10-05/8229ea50-daf8-40c5-ad08-270eadad0ee1_cotto-roach.jpegUnder new trainer Freddie Roach, Miguel Cotto is looking as good as ever. (Getty)
Also, consider that Canelo's team has to handle their fighter carefully right now and make a smart decision about his next fight.
Facing another woefully overmatched fighter, as Canelo had been consistently fed up until Trout and Mayweather, could do more harm than good, signaling a lack of confidence, and hindering his ability to grow following the recent setback.
Agreeing to fight Cotto would say that they believe their man is very much a force to be reckoned with, and there's no reason for tune-ups. It's not a bad style matchup for Canelo, either, as he's not facing a pure speedster or slickster. He'd be in his element and would be able to find a home for his aggressive offense, and the younger, bigger, stronger Alvarez would still be a favorite in the fight.
Cotto has shown over the past few years that he's always up for facing the best competition. His confidence sky-high with his latest win, and his pairing with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has paid dividends already. Cotto would never balk at a chance to fight Canelo, size and age be damned.
Roach and Cotto, like Team Canelo, would consider this fight a plus as they aren't facing a slick or tricky boxer. Cotto would have the edge in technical skill in this match, even if he'd have to try to turn back the much more physically stronger man, something he has struggled with in the past.
The promoters could put this fight anywhere, and it would sell out. It's a fight between two of the best in the division, two of the sport's biggest stars, and two men with a shared recent history and a need to get back to the top. The winner would be able to call his own shots at the top of the junior middleweight division.
Canelo vs. Cotto is a no-brainer, so hopefully the powers that be don't let this opportunity pass.