WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and his camp are talking almost exclusively about Canelo Alvarez, and his trainer Freddie Roach is talking boldly about the Puerto Rican star's chances in a super fight.
"I really like that fight. That's the fight I've always wanted for Miguel," Roach said. "I think that's a very good fight for us. I really like our chances in that fight and I think there's a good chance we knock this guy out."
Both Alvarez and Cotto have been stellar in their last few fights. Cotto has won his last three fights by knockout, the latter two against championship-caliber middleweights. He knocked off lineal champ Sergio Martinez to win the belt in 2014, then took a year off before finishing Daniel Geale in fewer than five rounds. The win over Geale has caused a small stir, however, because he imposed a strict 157-pound catch weight.
Alvarez has also won his last three fights since a humbling defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013. Alvarez has looked spectacular vs. two hard-punching pressure fighters, Alfredo Angulo and James Kirkland, and those wins sandwiched a close shave vs. defense-first southpaw Erislandy Lara.
Both Alvarez and Cotto have been mentioned as potential opponents for Gennady "GGG" Golovkin, although Cotto has seemed less excited about that down the road than Alvarez. After beating Geale, Cotto admitted he's not a "true" middleweight, and even though his title may be up for grabs vs. Alvarez, it's been reported the fight will happen at a 155-pound catch weight.
Golovkin remains the mandatory challenger for Cotto's title, and has refused to sign a step-aside agreement unless he's guaranteed the next fight against the winner of Cotto-Alvarez.
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