By Miguel Rivera
Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez appreciates all the advice that he's received during his long training camp from Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya.
The fight is now less than a week away, as Canelo will challenge WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Canelo is the biggest star promoted by De La Hoya's company. De La Hoya, a former six division world champion who fought in some of the biggest events in boxing history, has been frequent visitor to Canelo's camp.
The Mexico vs. Puerto Rico theme is the back story to the Cotto-Canelo encounter. In 1999, the same theme revolved around the very anticipated welterweight unification between De La Hoya and Felix 'Tito' Trinidad, which took place at the same Las Vegas venue.
De La Hoya lost a controversial twelve round decision to Trinidad. Believing he was well ahead in the fight, De La Hoya decided to coast the last few rounds and saw his unbeaten record go down the drain after the official judges awarded the fight for Trinidad.
Canelo feels a boost from De La Hoya presence in camp.
"He came [to my camp] several times and that's been special for me. He would watch me, give me advice. Oscar has been in big fights and has great experience. He gives me advice but he also knows that we are a very disciplined people, who are dedicated to being 100% and people know that we do our job well. He knows that I am a very dedicated fighter, that I have the qualities to win. Oscar just tells me to train like never before for the day of the fight," Canelo said.
