By Jake Donovan

Miguel Cotto is heading into the stretch run in training camp for his November 21 blockbuster showdown versus Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. The two will meet at a maximum catchweight of 155 lbs., with Cotto's World middleweight championship at stake in their HBO Pay-Per-View main event at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It is regarded by many as the biggest fight in the sport since the richest of them all, when Floyd Mayweather soundly outpointed Manny Pacquiao in their May 2 event that destroyed box-office and Pay-Per-View records.

Cotto faced Mayweather and Pacquiao at separate points in his career, losing to both future Hall of Famers. Pacquiao ended Cotto's short-lived second welterweight title reign, scoring a 12th round knockout in their Nov. '09 clash.

The bout was Cotto's last at welterweight - having enjoyed two title reigns at the weight as well as a two-year stay as a 140 lb. titlist. Moving up to super welterweight, Cotto won his first fight in the division, lifting the title from Yuri Foreman in their June '08 headliner at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. Two successful defenses followed before dropping a competitive but clear 12-round decision to Mayweather in their May '12 clash.

Following a subsequent loss to Austin Trout and a comeback win over Delvin Rodriguez, Cotto (40-4, 33KOs) made history for Puerto Rico, becoming the island's first-ever four-division champ following a 10th round stoppage of then-lineal middleweight king Sergio Martinez last June.

The upcoming clash with Alvarez (45-1-1, 32KOs) will mark the 23rd time he steps into the ring versus a former, present or future champ. Cotto is 18-4 (14KOs) in such bouts, but still fondly remembers his first such occasion, one he attributes to what has made him the fighter he became and still remains.

"Fighting the former world champion Cesar Bazan at the beginning of my career was a great learning experience for me that will always be remembered," Cotto said of his Feb. '03 clash with the former lightweight champion.

The bout took place on the HBO Pay-Per-View undercard of Juan Manuel Marquez' first career title win, having knocked out Manuel Medina in seven rounds. On the same show, Cotto stopped Bazan in 11 rounds, just the second time in his career he had been extended beyond the 7th round to that point.

Fittingly, that show also took place at Mandalay Bay, where Cotto is unbeaten in three previous appearances. His last bout at Mandalay Bay came in Dec. '04, knocking out Randall Bailey in six rounds.

His debut at the venue came in Sept. '02, taking a 10-round decision over former lightweight contender John Brown. Headlining the show that evening was Oscar de la Hoya in a career-favorite win, knocking out Fernando Vargas in the 11th round of their long-awaited grudge match.

de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions - who proudly represents Alvarez - co-promotes the Nov. 21 event along with Cotto's new promoter Roc Nation Sports, with whom he signed earlier this year.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox