By James Blears
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (42-1-1, 30KOs) can fast track right back to the limelight with an all action tear up against Miguel Cotto (38-4-31KOs). Canelo has returned to light training, following the considerable disappointment against Floyd Mayweather Jr on September 14th. There was little to celebrate during the ensuing Mexican Independence bonanza, as the fight tranformed into a masterful one-sided North of the Border boxing tutorial.
Canelo had evidently taken the bout three fights, or at least a year too early in his career. One tempting and major point of incentive was a wonderful pay day. But... the dotty strategy of trying to outbox, rather than outfight Money - the best top dollar boxer in the world, was chump change absurd. Floyd can turn on a dime!
Although he insisted he was strong and not weight drained, Canelo appeared a slow and plodding student, rarely able to find the mark or connect cleanly, while getting constantly and correctively cuffed by the Ruler. Hence...a losing grade.
No one has yet come up winning formula concerning the mystery enwrapped around the Floyd enigma. But Cotto joined the ranks of the nearly men, including Oscar de La Hoya and Jose Luis Castillo (fight one), generating a competitive fight if not a near fright, against the great one in May 2012.
Outlanded with more accurate punches, Cotto neverthess reduced the range and backed Mayweather on to the ropes to pound away in punctuated bursts. Floyd was mildly affonted if not aghast at the sight of own blood trickling from his own nostrils.
Cotto who's a four time world champion in three divisions has been enjoying a visit to Mexico, as part of a short holiday, following his three round demoliton of Delvin Rodriquez. Trained for that one by Freddie Roach, Miguel's style wasn't tinkered with. Yet, Freddie was however rather successful in coaxing him back to his substantial body punching portfolio, which took its toll on Delvin's slats. Miguel also looked in his best shape for ages, showing there's still plenty in the tank and some miles left on the clock, by firing on all cylinders from the outset.
Canelo wouldn't need a compass, road map or a designated guide to find Cotto. Both love to fight within sweat range, body punch and overwhelm. At thirty two years old, Miguel is nine years older than Canelo, and although his bodywork remains sound, he's collected his fair share of dents.
He suffered a painful loss to Antonio Margarito, which he went on a mission to more than avenge. Manny Pacquiao pounded him into a bumpy twelfth round TKO loss. Undaunted he's made a magnificent comeback, which is a significant trademark of his track record. Miguel achieved this through teak toughness, incredible work ethic and admirable self belief.
The Cotto test, should have been Canelo's MA before he embarked on the struts of what turned out to be a bridge too far Phd. But surely it can now be arranged for the near future?
It'd be a real test for Canelo and much better than just fighting a journeyman to laborously and painstaking rebuild his stellar standing. A successful encounter of the Cotto stature, could repair an awful lot, at a stroke for Canelo, while a stoppage, would appreciably bolster his standing as a KO artist.
Cleancut Canelo is still immensely popular in Mexico. Cotto who's shaven headed, blue chinned and heavily tatooed, is a prime cut above anyone Canelo has fought....apart of course from...."Money."
