Miguel Cotto’s Nov. 21 defense of his WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight world championships against Saul “Canelo” Álvarez has boxing fans excited on several fronts. It’s the first superfight since Mayweather vs. Pacquaio, pitting rising star Álvarez (45-1-1) against experienced champion Cotto (40-4-0). Their clash at Mandalay Bay is also the latest chapter in the traditional rivalry between Puerto Rico (Cotto) and Mexico (Álvarez). Despite their age difference—Álvarez is 25 and Cotto is 35—both fighters’ careers are entwined as well.
Both fighters come from boxing families. Álvarez, the youngest of seven brothers, all of whom fought professionally, made his Las Vegas debut by defeating Cotto’s older brother Jose in May 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at a time when Cotto would lose his WBO welterweight title before moving up a class and gaining the WBA light middleweight title. Both men lost to Mayweather, with Cotto arguably providing “Money” with his toughest fight and Álvarez being deprived of his then unbeaten record.
Since facing Mayweather, expectations that Álvarez will become the next great pound-for-pound fighter have run high, while Cotto,
recently signed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation organization, has impressed the boxing cognoscenti since bringing on Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach. Cotto and Álvarez are all business outside the ring as well, showing mutual respect during press conferences.
At a glance
Miguel Cotto has a reach of 67 inches while Saul Álvarez’ reach is 70 1/2 inches; Álvarez is 5-foot-9, compared to Cotto at 5-foot-7
Álvarez was only 13 years old when he began boxing
Cotto fought 148 matches during his amateur career
Mandalay Bay, 3 p.m. Nov. 21, $150-$2,000 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
