By Victor Salazar
New York - When it comes to the middleweight division, trainer Freddie Roach confidently says that he will put his fighter Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KO’s) against anyone. On November 21st, Cotto will defend his WBC middleweight titles against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez(45-1-1, 32 KO’s). Although Cotto is the middleweight champion and the more experienced fight, Canelo is more than a 2 to 1 favorite in sport books.
Though he feels Canelo has faced tough opposition, Roach feels Cotto will be the biggest puncher Canelo has come up against.
“Yes, I think this is the biggest puncher he has faced to date,” Roach told BoxingScene.com. “Let’s not forget Cotto’s smaller brother hurt him. “But he’s fought some good guys, he’s fought Mayweather who’s the best fighter in the world. But this fight is more of a style that suits both. It’ll be a great fight. My guy will be ready.”
The winner of Cotto-Canelo is mandated by the WBC to face the winner of Gennady Golovkin-David Lemieux, which takes place on October 17th. Roach was asked on whether or not he would advise Cotto to stay away from the winner of that fight, especially if Golovkin was victorious.
To that thought Roach replied - “Bring them on. “They’re just two guys with two arms, they’re nothing special.”
In terms of Golovkin, Roach stated further - Nope [he is not special]. You see his last fight [against Willie Monroe]? Was that special? He fought a stiff...come on.”