By Jake Donovan
During a recent media conference call, Hall-of-Fame boxer-turned-promoter Oscar de la Hoya insisted that the November 21 showdown between Miguel Cotto and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will sell more than 1.5 million units for their HBO Pay-Per-View headliner at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The driving belief behind that claim stems from the potential for all-out warfare between the two boxing superstars, but also – as de la Hoya insists – Alvarez’ massive drawing power. The 25-year old former super welterweight champ serves as the face of boxing for his native Mexico, which has historically boasted among the most passionate fan bases in the sport.
Naturally, the Cotto side of the equation disagrees. His handlers believe de la Hoya is selling short the Puerto Rican superstar… and is being too modest in his projections.
“Obviously not,” stated Roc Nation Sports CEO Michael Yormark when asked if he agrees with de la Hoya on Alvarez being the bigger star. “We feel it will be a major event for PPV because it’s a great fight. I know Oscar threw out the number of 1.5 million; our hope is that it goes between 1 million and two million. We hope it's closer to two million.
“They come from great countries with great fan bases. That's why we're so bullish and optimistic that it does a big number.”
Cotto (40-4, 33KOs) makes the second defense of his World middleweight championship, with the bout to be contested at a maximum catchweight of 155 lbs. It’s a weight at which Alvarez (45-1-1, 32KOs) will now have spent his last four fights following the November 21 event, which many believe is the best possible fight to be made in the wake of all things post-May 2.
The demand for the better part of more than five years was for Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to meet in a battle that would once and for all determine pound-for-pound supremacy. By the time they agreed to terms, the realization hit that it would become the biggest event in boxing history – but stylistically also threatened to be a dud in the ring.
Both proved true, which is why so much emphasis on this promotion has been placed on the all-action fighting styles of Cotto and Alvarez, each coming off of knockout wins entering this event.
Alvarez enjoyed a triumphant return to HBO this past May, annihilating James Kirkland inside of three rounds, in front of 30,000 strong at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The HBO-televised drew well over 2 million home viewers, making it the most watched cable TV fight since 2006.
One month later, Cotto made the first defense of his championship with a 4th round knockout of former champ Daniel Geale. The bout took place in front of more than 12,000 adoring fans at Barclays Center in Brooklyn – Cotto’s first appearance in the venue, which just eight days prior hosted Amir Khan’s 12-round win over Chris Algieri – and performing remarkably well with home viewers.
Together, they should make – their respective promoters can only hope - for a main event that proves to be a treat for anyone in attendance or watching at home.
“This will absolutely be the fight of the year,” Yormark guarantees – a bold claim, considering he isn’t the one who has to get in the ring. “We believe this fight will provide greater dollar-for-dollar value of any fight in recent memory.
“You can feel the buzz building, not only in the boxing world but in the mainstream as well. Even Jay-Z and Oscar have been swept up in the excitement of this event, putting a $100,000 wager on this extravagant event.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
