Cotto vs. Canelo: Jayson Velez To Face Ronny Rios

By Steve Kim

According to multiple sources a featherweight bout between Jayson Velez and Ronny Rios will be added to the November 21st card at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas that features the WBC middleweight title fight between Miguel Cotto and Saul Alvarez that will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View.

Velez (23-0-1, 16 KO's), who is promoted by Cotto Promotion, last year fought for the IBF title and came away with a draw versus Evgeny Gradovich.

Rios (24-1, 10 KO's), who is under the guidance of Golden Boy Promotions, suffered his first professional loss last October and has since bounced back with a ten round decision victory over Sergio Frias in March.

It's not clear if this fight will be a part of the pay-per-view telecast. Already slated to be on the broadcast is the fight between WBC 130-pound titlist, Takashi Miura and Francisco Vargas and IBF bantamweight belt-holder, Randy Caballero defending against Lee Haskins.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.