WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto is closer to agreeing to final terms with Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez for a major fight this fall, and both men have agreed to a 155-pound catch weight. Cotto won the middleweight title at a 159-pound catch weight, then imposed a 157-pound limit on Daniel Geale in his first defense.
Alvarez, the naturally larger fighter of the two, has fought his last three bouts at 155 pounds so this weight is no advantage for either fighter on paper. The fight is expected to happen in November, although no date is set, nor is there an official venue yet.
Cotto's title is another matter that must be decided. When Cotto won the belt he was allowed one voluntary defense before he had to face mandatory challenger Gennady Golovkin, the undefeated WBA and IBO champ. Cotto was expected to fight Alvarez in May before that mandatory.
Instead, Cotto fought Geale after a one-year layoff, and now wants to chase the bigger payday that Alvarez offers. The WBC had previously stated it would allow Cotto-Canelo to move forward if both fighters agreed to guarantee Golovkin a shot at the winner, but so far that hasn't happened.
Roc Nation Sports COO David Iskowitch is talking as if the WBC belt being on the line for the Alvarez bout is a foregone conclusion; that's no surprise considering the money both men have proven they can generate on their own.
Iskowitch also said Cotto plans on keeping the title beyond that fight without mentioning Golovkin, which could be worrisome for boxing fans eager to see Golovkin in the ring vs. elite opposition. Golovkin has actively sought out the likes of Cotto, Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and even super middleweight Carl Froch.
"We're going to what we can to make sure that he gets to keep that title and if a Canelo fight is made, which is everybody's goal, we would like that fight to be for the title."
Beyond that, Cotto will probably have to face Golovkin for the belt, or else the WBC will have trouble saving face.
[ESPN]
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.