When Will Saul Alvarez Be Ready for Miguel Cotto?

I admit that Canelo has some flaws in his game (lol, but hell, what boxer doesn't? Especially one who is only 22), but he gets far too much hate, and not nearlt enough respect for the talent he has. He hits like a mule, strings his combinations together very nicely (especially the straight right hand-left hook - he uses one to set up the other, and vice versa). He doesn't have great hand speed, but it's good.

There are some question marks like his stamina, lack of foot speed/lateral movement, and stiff upper body/head movement. But he is more than efficient at using basic defensive fundamentals like a tight high-guard, and basic bobs, and weaves. . . Also, he can roll with head shots "Mexican style" - where he snaps his head in the same direction as the punch.

The style I would see troubling Canelo would either be an extremely fast mover, with a long, crisp jab, who knows how to tie up, and is "slick." Or a guy with classical boxing/punching - counterpunching skills who has EQUAL, or GREATER speed, and power than Canelo.

This content is protected

 

Normaly I don't think losing a championship fight should get you a championship fight in your next fight. However there is no shame in losing to Mayweather.

Alvarez's people should consider Cotto for 9/15. Cotto is someone he can beat now. It would be a step up, but he needs to take that step up.

 

Oh, I'm not 100% writing Cotto off. . . He has a chance to outbox Canelo for majority of hte rounds. . . Or he even has a chance to catch Canelo. But I just don't see it happening. Cotto isn't fast enough, nor does he have the length/range to consistently outbox Canelo, circle and turn him before Canelo can set up, and sit down on his shots. . .


If Cotto had faster hands (he doesn't have faster hands than Canelo; not at 154 anyway), and feet (does have faster feet, but not fast enough), and could hit harder, I'd favor him. . But it's just the things that Cotto DOES do better, it's not by a drastic enough difference; i.e. Cotto's left hook to the body, isn't really all that better than Canelo's (Canelo has a better left hook to the head). . . Cotto's defensive movements are barely better tahn Canelo's. . . And the things CANELO does better, and the physical advantages he has, would just make it too much for Cotto to deal with, i.e. Canelo's power, straight right hand.

 

i think he's ready for him right now imo