By Jake Donovan
As far as poker players go, Miguel Cotto is one hell of a boxer.
From the moment his long awaited showdown with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez was confirmed for November 21 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the event was already being celebrated as the biggest remaining fight of 2015. Even Alvarez was among those soaking in the magnitude of the fight, which will come at a catchweight of 155 lbs. and with Cotto's World middleweight championship at stake.
Among those not particularly in a celebratory mood, was the other star of the show.
Make no mistake, Cotto will go all in for the fight itself. He is already in tip-top shape for the card and that's without the excruciating grind that awaits once he is in full swing with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach for their fourth camp together.
Just don't expect him to be the loudest voice in the room when it comes to hyping up the event.
"I just can say that this fight is just another fight," Cotto deadpanned when asked where Alvarez ranks among the best he's faced over the course of his Hall-of-Fame-level career. "I'm going to go to L.A. when we decide to go there, do my best as always, and go for Vegas to beat Canelo (on November 21st)."
The remarks are in line with Cotto's take on the fight immediately following his most recent win, a 4th round knockout of Daniel Geale in June.
“I had 44 fights in my career. Canelo is just going to be another one, a new chapter in my career," Cotto insisted of Alvarez, who was fresh off of a 3rd round knockout of James Kirkland one month prior in his HBO return, a bout that ranks as the most viewed cable TV fight of 2015, and the most watched in that medium since 2006.
Few other fighters could get away with claiming a fighter as popular as Alvarez—a legitimate superstar in his native Mexico as well as the United States. However, the fighting pride of Caguas, Puerto Rico is quick to point out that he too has been involved in a few memorable events over the years.
Among Cotto's run in the past several years include showdowns with the two best fighters of this era, as well as his historic middleweight championship winning effort over Sergio Martinez. Cotto's 10th round stoppage led to his becoming the first-ever fighter from Puerto Rico to claim titles in four separate weight divisions, and advancing among the island's greatest fighters in history.
With that in mind, you'll have to pardon the reigning middleweight king for not being in awe of what awaits him in November.
"I faced Floyd Mayweather, faced Martinez, and faced (Manny) Pacquiao. I've faced everybody in my era. Canelo is just another name.
"(He) brings another big name to my record, and that's (how) I see Canelo for my fight."
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox