Cotto vs Alvarez Prediction
Miguel Cotto will step in the ring against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez tomorrow night in a bout that has most people thinking it should be very competitive. There are many reasons this fight has seized the boxing world’s attention: the Mexican vs Puerto Rican rivalry, experience vs youth, amongst many marketing angles, but who has the advantage going into this fight?
Scrolling through boxing forums and private boxing groups, there are many people believing that both fighters have a chance to win this fight and they have convincing reasons why. So I formulated my opinion and also asked a few professionals in the sport to see who they thought would win and why:
Phillip Harris (Boxing Analyst, Writer, Creator of Glove2Face):
I would love to think this would be a great fight and that both fighters have the tools to pull out a win, but I can’t. Before Cotto defeated Sergio Martinez, most of the world looked at him as a washed up warrior that was on his last leg, and I have continued to view him as such. I haven’t seen any rejuvenation or a rebirth; what I did see was better match making and a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Cotto is over the hill and is going to get his last big paycheck as he gets pummeled until Freddy Roach throws in the towel in the 10th round. Cotto will look good in the first 3 rounds and will gradually fade after that.
Prediction: Canelo wins via 10th Round TKO
Jay Kemp (Sports Marketing, Co-owner of TheRingSide.Biz):
Canelo by decision. Cotto has had some success with Sergio, but age is wearing down and his trainer is struggling. Roach’s guys are all losing. Roach is done. He needs to worry about his health and that may affect his reading of the game and his training of his athletes. I have seen Roach get popped by Cotto, so he is obviously not in a good place and on the same wavelength as his guys. DLH needs this win and Canelo is going to remain to be his meal ticket.
Prediction: Canelo by decision
La’Taurus Harrison (Boxing Analyst, Script Writer):
Canelo. To strong and young…bigger. Cotto never fights great above 147. His victories above that weight have been against fighters coming in injured or at a catch weight. Canelo will break him down and stop him.
Prediction: Canelo by KO
Jason Ford (Boxing writer, analyst, and advisor, Co-Owner of TheRingSide.Biz):
Cotto has already been in too many wars. If this fight goes into deep waters, which I think it will, the wars will start to bleed through for Cotto. Youth and lack of beatings will allow Canelo to dictate pace and not be so scared, knowing it is not the strong beastly Cotto of old he is facing.
Prediction: Canelo by late stoppage
Canelo is the favorite amongst us, but this isn’t the first time Cotto has been counted out, so I look forward to watching as these two battle to see who’s the best middleweight.
