By Jake Donovan
Perhaps with a greater push - or a larger site fee - the highly anticipated showdown between Miguel Cotto and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez could have very well landed in New York. No fighter has sold more tickets in New York City - particularly Madison Square Garden than has Cotto in the 21st Century, having claimed the city that never sleeps as his home away from home since 2005.
The fight ultimately landed at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, where HBO will air live through its Pay-Per-View arm. It was a minor hurdle at one point during the second round of negotiations, but not enough to force all parties to pack it in, at least not after the fight had already fallen apart earlier in the year.
For what was offered to both sides and considering other locations, Las Vegas—in addition to having long served as the fight capital of the world—is a neutral enough location to where both fighters figure to be well-represented.
Still, it doesn't mean Cotto—the fighting pride of Caguas, Puerto Rico—didn't hope for at least one more home-away-from-home game.
"That was a real big negotiation for this fight, but it's already happened," admits Cotto (40-4, 33KOs), who makes the second defense of the World middleweight championship he claimed last June. "It's already made for us, for everybody, for the fans all over the world. I'm just going to be ready for him."
Some will argue that the Vegas location gives Alvarez (45-1-1, 32KOs) the edge amongst fans in attendance. The influx of Mexican and Mexican-American fans known to turn out in droves for any big fight in Vegas involving a known Mexican fighter in Las Vegas has long been a tradition, and a region where Alvarez has long ago established himself as one of boxing's biggest stars.
The 25-year old from Mexico has also become a huge draw in Texas, which was ruled out at the start of the second round of negotiations. In settling on Vegas, it can be viewed as a moral victory for Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions, but their side doesn't see it that way.
"No, not at all. New York, Vegas, wherever, it's the same thing," claims Alvarez. "I think Vegas is just a neutral (location) for both of us."
Both fighters have experienced big moments and career low points in Sin City.
The lone loss of Alvarez' career came at the MGM Grand in a 12-round decision Floyd Mayweather, albeit in what served at the time as the most lucrative event in boxing history. Overall, he is 5-1 in town dating back to his first Vegas fight in 2010, including wins over Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara last year.
Cotto is 9-3 overall along the famed strip, but with only win in town since 2004. That moment came in the form of a 12th round knockout of Ricardo Mayorga in March '11. All three Vegas losses took place at the MGM Grand, including a heartbreaking 10th round stoppage to Antonio Margaito in their first fight in July '08. He also came up short against the two very best fighters of this generation - Mayweather (L12, May '12) and Manny Pacquia (TKOby 12, Nov. '09).
Needless to say, his best career moments have taken place in Puerto Rico and especially New York. Included among his biggest wins in the Big Apple are: a revenge-fueled 9th round stoppage of Margarito in their Dec. '11 rematch; and his shockingly one-sided 10th round stoppage of Sergio Martinez to become the first fighter ever from Puerto Rico to claim championships in four separate weight classes.
All that's missing from his Hall-of-Fame worthy career is a big win in Vegas, although Cotto—ever the proverbial poker player—insists such a concern is the furthest thing from his mind.
"I don't care what is the place or the fight," Cotto insists. "No matter where, I'm going to do my best with Freddie (Roach, Cotto's trainer). I'm going to do my best in the fight."
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox