By Radio Rahim
Freddie Roach, trainer of WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33KOs), is paying no attention to odds that have Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (45-1-1, 32KOs) as the betting favorite to beat his fighter on November 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Roach is very confident that his fighter will turn away the younger man. How confident? He plans to stake both of his homes on a Cotto victory at 3-1 odds.
He views Canelo as a decent fighter, but doesn't consider him to be at the level of someone like Cotto.
The bout takes place at catch-weight of 155-pounds and HBO Pay-Per-View will carry the event.
"I'm not scared of this guy. Just because he's a pretty boy and all the girls like watching him fight - doesn't mean he's a good fighter. He's okay, but he's not going to beat my guy - I promise you. At 3-1 [odds], I'm going to bet both my houses," Roach told BoxingScene.com.
The venue will be roaring with fans on both ends, as major fights involving a Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry generates a lot of emotion. This is the biggest Mexico vs. Puerto Rico showdown since Oscar De La Hoya stepped in the ring with Felix Trinidad in 1999 - in a fight which also took place at the Mandalay Bay.