By Miguel Rivera
Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristain is tipping Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (45-1-1, 32KOs) to defeat WBC champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33KOs) of Puerto Rico in a very close contest on November 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. HBO Pay-Per-View will carry the bout. The fight is taking place at a catch-weight of 155-pounds.
Nacho has trained some of the best Mexican fighters in the last two decades, like Juan Manuel Marquez, Jorge Arce, Rafael Marquez, Jhonny Gonzalez and many, many others.
The upcoming fight has the natural Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry. For that reason, Nacho hopes Canelo will bring home the big win.
"In my heart I would like Canelo to win for Mexico, because it would be a great victory, apart from the fact that he is a fighter who moves the people, he draws a lot of people and if he wins it would become even bigger," Nacho told ESPN Deportes.
As far as the in-ring action, Nacho says it's going to be close and he gives Canelo the slight edge.
"I like the boxing of Canelo. His abilities have developed. He boxes beautifully, he puts combinations together very well, he's explosive, has charisma," Nacho said.
"[Cotto] is an excellent fighter, prepares well. He has the punching power to hurt anyone in a fight. He has a coach who always has his fighters well-trained, and he's a very good strategist who always makes everyone work hard and surely Cotto will come in there in great condition."
"My prognosis is that it will be a great fight and will surely be a contender for Fight of The Year. Canelo is my sentimental favorite, and I think that this fight is going to end by TKO, a cut, an injury."
