Hola familia y amigos, welcome to a vitamin fortified, mofongo and menudo flavored edition of Central America’s number one source for boxing misinformation, exaggerations and copy and paste press releases, The Sunday Brunch – We are the Yoo-hoo and SpaghettiOs of pugilistic journalism. Today we are taking a look at a few things that Puerto Rican icon, Miguel Cotto will need to do to defeat Mexico’s incredibly popular Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Hold on to your albondigas and grab an ice cold Dos Equis, we’re about to file this one under “D” for donut. With that being said, I gave you your instructions in the dressing room; what I say you must obey – Cuidate, escucha me, toca los manos y buena suerte…Let’s get it on!
24 year-old Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has been punching his way through the junior middleweight division for quite some time now. Aside from some questionable matchmaking early in his premium cable career and suffering a shutout against Floyd Mayweather back in 2013, Canelo Alvarez is a boxer who has a natural talent for fighting and a vicious disposition inside of the squared circle.
Miguel Cotto has seen the top of the proverbial pugilistic mountain and has experienced defeat in its most violent and disfiguring incarnation. The Caguas Crusher has shared the ring with a cadre of huge names within the sport and has participated in some unforgettable contests. Out of 40 professional contests, Miguel Cotto has only four losses and two of those defeats have asterisks forever hovering above them…if you know what I mean.
Since hiring Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach ahead of his fight with Delvon Rodriguez after a pair of losses, Miguel Cotto seems to have rejuvenated his career and now has modified his style to better accommodate the 34 year-old version of himself.
Roach and Cotto are a good fit and both have publicly praised each other on many occasions. The relatively new pairing has seen the five time, four weight class world champion thrill boxing fans and put a huge jewel in his crown with a signature win over the recently retired former middleweight kingpin, Sergio Martinez.
But, what will Miguel Cotto have to do when the young, hard-charging Canelo Alvarez megafight materializes?
Here are five things that Miguel Cotto absolutely must do to defeat Canelo Alvarez.
5. “Age is an issue of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain
First things first. Miguel Cotto is ten years older than his Mexican counterpart…that can be looked at in a couple of different ways. Cotto is likely wiser than Saul Alvarez, maybe he has some more tricks up his sleeves, but a decade is a huge span of time to go from what was likely your prime to a somewhat different version of the fighter you once were.
To negate or offset the age factor, Miguel Cotto is going to have to out-think the young fighter. Feints, ring position (never laying on the ropes) and pressure are all things that will give Canelo pause and create precious time for a salvo.
4. “I’d take precision any day over power; as far as being tactical you know you have to see what’s going on in there and also understand that for every punch that you or your opponent throws there’s always a counter shot or two which you have to be ready to fire or defend.” – Alexis Arguello
These two men both faced Floyd Mayweather and both had the same outcome, but it can be argued that Miguel Cotto gave Mayweather one of his roughest nights, and Floyd Mayweather gave Canelo his roughest night – when they met, Mayweather threw twenty less punches than did Alvarez, but he landed over one hundred more.
Everyone should know that fight math doesn’t work, but styles do indeed make fights. Canelo Alvarez creates immense pressure inside the squared circle, but with accurate countering the powerful young Mexican’s offense dips and openings are created. With Cotto’s new training system in place, his counter punching ability and movement have improved in a big way. If Miguel Cotto wants to defeat Saul Alvarez, he is going to have to do the best counter punching of his career.
3. “Speed is a great asset, but it’s greater when it’s combined with quickness – there’s a big difference.” – Ty Cobb
For Miguel Cotto, speed will be vital to victory against Canelo Alvarez. The former champion from Jalisco will be bringing devastating power, accuracy and speed – Cotto will have to negate those weapons with his own explosiveness.
Cotto seems to be at a place where he has an abundant supply of energy and power to spare, so a key for him will be quick feet and fast hands. Both of those skills used together against Canelo are a recipe for success. Combining lateral and head movement with fast strikes will give the ageing Puerto Rican battler a huge edge against the prime junior middleweight.
2. “Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.” – Wyatt Earp
Crisp, snapping accurate jabs will momentarily blind Canelo Alvarez and create openings for Miguel’s big hooks. An ultra accurate Miguel Cotto will gain an extra advantage in the eyes of judges and observers, not to mention the many beneficial scenarios that can transpire if he’s able to stun Canelo with his punch output.
1. ” Keep it together.” – Anonymous
If Miguel Cotto is able to put together speed, quickness, a competent strategy (courtesy of Freddie Roach), power and accuracy and tie it all together with his ring IQ and warrior spirit, it just might be enough to deny Saul Alvarez’s aggressive and violent charge.
With the guidance of his new trainer, team and strength and conditioning routine, this throwback fighter has every opportunity to put another notch in his already incredibly accomplished career by dethroning the red hot former world champion.
Thanks for joining us again this week, we’ll be back next Sunday with five things that Saul Alvarez will need to do to defeat Miguel Cotto…Unless they don’t wind up hatching things out, in which case I will be writing about the five best ways to use up leftover pumpkin pie mix, potatoes and broccolini, then I’ll go back into the system and change the name of this article and no one will ever be the wiser. Send us your wife’s bikini pics at JESSEBOXINGTRIBUNE@GMAIL.COM and troll our Twitter feed @JESSEBOXING, until next time, sante!
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