By Francisco Salazar

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Many boxing writers and fans have given their two cents on who will win between Miguel Cotto and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.

The 12 round bout will take place tonight at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

One person has an interesting take on the fight and was shared the ring with both fighters.

It is not Floyd Mayweather, although he does have wins over both Cotto and Alvarez.

Fringe welterweight contender Chris Van Heerden has sparred with both fighters at different times.

Van Heerden sparred Cotto when the popular Puerto Rican fighter was in preparation for his fight against Sergio Martinez in June of last year. Van Heerden sparred Alvarez when the Mexican star was in preparation for his bout against Erislandy Lara one month later.

Originally from South Africa and now residing in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Monica, Van Heerden believes they both have the qualities to win.

"Cotto is so crafty," Van Heerden told BoxingScene.com in a recent interview. "When I was first sparring him, I was able to connect with some punches. Towards the end of camp, I was not able to land those same punches. He was able to adjust and he was able to land anytime he wanted."

"With Canelo, I was able to land more. When he connected, especially to the body, you felt his punches. He hits very hard. Some punches take something out of you."

Asked whole he believes will win, Van Heerden predicts Cotto, but only if he fights intelligently.

"If Cotto stays on the outside and uses his ring generalship, he could win the fight. If he begins to trade with Canelo, he leaves himself exposed to Canelo's power. He could get in trouble."

In his last bout on September 11, Van Heerden (23-2-1, 12 KOs) was stopped in the eighth round by unbeaten Errol Spence, Jr.

No word yet on when Van Heerden will return to action.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at @FSalazarBoxing