By Miguel Rivera

WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32KOs) has confirmed that there is a preliminary agreement to face Mexican star Saul "Canelo" Alvarez before the end of the year. Cotto must first overcome Daniel Geale (31-3, 16KOs) on June 6th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Canelo did has part last Saturday night, when he knocked out James Kirkland in the third round.

There have been attempts to make this fight in the past without success. This time the situation is different and there seems to be motivation on both sides to get a deal done.

Earlier this year, Cotto signed a three fight contract with Roc Nation Sports which is reportedly worth $50 million.

While Cotto is interested in facing Canelo, he won't be pressured into the fight when it comes to the terms and details - like the date, venue or other matters. Canelo and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, are already looking at September 12th for the Mexican star's next return.

"I'm coming into my fight. I will do the job that Freddie [Roach] has designed in my training cap. But whatever HBO has thought-out, whatever Oscar De La Hoya or Saul Alvarez has thought-out - I don't care about that," Cotto said to El Vocero. "Facing James Kirkland or Erislandly Lara is not the same as facing Miguel Cotto."

"Canelo did his job last Saturday and now it's time to do mine on June 6th."