By Steve Kim
When Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (45-1-1, 32KOs) tries to take the WBC middleweight title from Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33KOs) this Saturday night from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya has a clear idea of what Cotto will try against his client.
"We hear that Cotto is throwing like 300 punches a round, they have him training extra rounds," said 'the Golden Boy', who's company promotes 'Canelo' Alvarez.
De La Hoya added during his appearance on 'the 3 Knockdown Rule' podcast with Mario Lopez:
"So my philosophy behind that is that they want to drown 'Canelo'. They want to go in there and drown him in the later rounds and try and take him into deep waters and get him tired. 'Canelo' is prepared for it. Look, the (Floyd) Mayweather fight, the (Erislandy) Lara fight, the Austin Trout fight - he's gone 12 rounds a lot of times."
"So what I'm thinking is that, look, if Cotto thinks he can outbox 'Canelo' - how many rounds can he do it for? That's the question. Can he box and stand on his toes for twelve rounds at that age? Maybe it's impossible [and] maybe not."
"Maybe Freddie Roach has him in tip-top shape, that he's going to outbox him but knowing the rivalry, Mexico versus Puerto Rico, the fans are not going to let him box. The passion that you have to put in the ring and perform - you have to go out there and fight."
Cotto is 34, nine years older than Alvarez.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com