Fans of Miguel Cotto may be saddened to hear the Puerto Rican star will be hanging up his gloves this time next year. But chin up, Cotto followers, the 34-year-old’s mega match-up with Canelo Alvarez will be unfolding in just over a week, and by the looks of the Tale of the Tape, he has a good chance of seizing victory.
“I’m going to be in boxing no longer than a year from now,” the future Hall-of-Famer told Boxing News. An exciting warrior like Cotto will be truly missed, no doubt, but there’s only so much we can ask of an all-action fighter who has remained relevant as a pro for 15 years.
(Let’s also remember that this is boxing: where retirement sometimes translates to ‘a long layoff until next time’.)
When Cotto steps into the ring on November 21st at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, a sell-out crowd will be in attendance. Well, I’m assuming it will be, anyway, what with the Mexican-Puerto Rico rivalry and all.
Speaking on his dangerous blockbuster with 24-year-old Canelo Alvarez, Cotto said:
“We have a plan and ideas and everything’s going to be fine. We are very prepared for this fight. We’re just going to see how Canelo reacts to this fight with the plans we have.”
“I put my mind into the fight,” Cotto continued. “I know I can punch and I can hit hard. Now I understand I have 36 minutes to finish my opponent. And I use every second of that.”
Yes, Cotto is a knockout-puncher if ever there was one. Just ask Daniel Geale, who was blasted out in 4 rounds when he danced with Cotto in June. But in Alvarez, Cotto will be locking horns with another banger, something Alvarez proved by demolishing James Kirkland in 3 rounds in May.
Yeah, Miguel Cotto vs Canelo Alvarez is going to be kind of a big deal, folks. Let’s just hope it lives up to the hype – and then some. Who are you backing in this one?
