We’ve all had an indication of Canelo Alvarez’s marketability, he holds the 2nd highest selling PPV with Floyd Mayweather, but tonight we saw that Canelo is as good as a fighter as he is a salesman.
From the opening bell Canelo’s confidence was apparent. He entered the fight at a comfortable weight, neither fighter stepped on a scale to disclose their weight tonight but Alvarez looked to be in the 170lb range. That size disparity proved to be too much for Miguel Cotto. In the first few rounds Canelo traded left hooks with Miguel Cotto and decided to eat jabs to ensure that his overhand right got through.
The first 4 rounds were extremely close but the power shots landed by Canelo were the difference. Cotto’s power punches often stopped Cotto in his tracks and made him rethink his game plan. He was able to cut off the ring and trap Cotto for long enough to unleash combinations. Those early rounds are what set the tone for what would be the maturation of Canelo Alvarez.
In the middle rounds we saw Cotto find ways to maneuver around some of Canelo’s elongated hooks and use his footwork to keep better range, but for that Alvarez had an answer. What began as over hand rights turned into fake right hands followed by crushing left uppercuts. In every round Canelo would finer punches both high & low to open up power shots. The veteran Cotto was often a step behind of Canelo both physically and mentally.
From what we saw Canelo was every bit as seasoned as a fighter with his resume. As he approaches 50 professional fights, he’s shown that he’s much wiser than his age would suggest and that he’s continuously evolving as a fighter. Nowhere was that more evident than in his head movement and quickness. He often showcased his improved defensive skills by dodging Cotto’s double jab combinations and firing back with a straight right hand. Dare I say, Mayweather-esque.
In the later rounds Cotto gained a second wind & used his footwork to get the better of some exchanges but even then Canelo remained poised. He weather the storm in the 10th & 11th rounds before deciding to empty the gas tank in the 12th.
In the final round Canelo wobbled Cotto twice with huge right hands and nearly took the legs out from the Puerto Rican, but in the end they stood toe-to-toe in an embrace. There was no better way to sum up a fight between two amazing competitors and the proverbial passing of the guard in Latino boxing.
If you changed the channel after this you sorely missed out. The oft-quiet Alvarez addressed the question on every fight fans’ mind, would he fight GGG?
His response signifies why Canelo is considered the next great Mexican champion:
“Before I didn’t want to answer out of respect for my current opponent,” Canelo said, “but I’ll put the gloves on right now and fight him right now.
“I know him, he’s a great friend — but with all respect I will put the gloves on and fight him now.”
Canelo has two weeks to decide whether or not he will fight GGG or vacate his WBC title. It’s a fight that both fighters want but a fight that may be a year too early. That decision will be made by Oscar De La Hoya & GGG’s management.
Until then we can all relish in the fact that the future of boxing is bright and the fights we want to see will be made.