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Blog: Canelo Alvarez overpowers Miguel Cotto in unanimous-decision victory

Gennady Golovkin could await Alvarez in middleweight title defense

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Steve Marcus

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez easily defeated Miguel Cotto.

Published Sat, Nov 21, 2015 (7:26 p.m.)

Updated Sat, Nov 21, 2015 (10:20 p.m.)

Cotto vs. Canelo

Canelo Alvarez, right, of Mexico lands a punch on Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico during their middleweight fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Launch slideshow »

During one of many exchanges Saturday night that sprung everyone in the jam-packed Mandalay Bay Events Center out of their seats, Miguel Cotto landed three punches to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s one.

Alvarez took Cotto’s combination early in the 12th round of their middleweight championship bout in stride. Cotto wobbled and stepped back when Alvarez landed the counter right hand.

In a fight high on action and drama, Alvarez ultimately prevailed with a unanimous-decision victory (119-109, 118-110, 117-111) because of his superior power.

“I have much respect for Miguel Cotto,” Alvarez said through a translator while still in the ring. “He’s a great champion, but now it’s mine.”

Chants of “Mexico” and raucous applause filled the arena as Alvarez stood victorious with the WBC championship belt strapped around his chest, and The Ring title resting over his shoulder. The 25-year-old confirmed his spot as boxing’s new ruler by outmuscling one of the most storied champions of the past decade.

The 35-year-old Cotto fell behind on every scorecard by the third round, and could never recover. He exited the arena before commenting on the fight.

“It’s a great victory for me,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez is the assumed successor to the pay-per-view crown recently left open by Floyd Mayweather’s retirement and Manny Pacquiao’s insistence of fighting only once more. He should have no shortage of possible opponents.

The mandatory next opponent for his WBC title is Gennady Golovkin, a 33-year-old many consider the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Alvarez and Cotto agreed to fight at a catchweight of 155 pounds, which is 5 pounds below where Golovkin has spent his entire career.

Alvarez said Golovkin would have to agree to fight at his weight, but otherwise, was receptive to the matchup.

“If he wants to fight right now,” Alvarez said, “I’ll fight him now.”

Check below for the live blog out of Cotto vs. Canelo, and come back later for full coverage.

The outgoing generation of decorated boxing champions has one last chance to beat up on the new era of stars tonight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

With Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired and Manny Pacquiao imminently following, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is the heir apparent to boxing’s pay-per-view crown. The 25-year-old from Guadlajara, Mexico, faces an ancillary member of the old guard in 35-year-old Miguel Cotto.

The Puerto Rican current middleweight champion has held titles in four different weight classes over the last 12 years and fought all of the top competition in his size vicinity, including both Mayweather and Pacquiao. A TKO loss to Pacquiao in 2009 and unanimous-decision defeat to Mayweather in 2012 remain his most known fights, but that could change with an upset of Alvarez.

Alvarez’s only career loss came to Mayweather two years ago. Aside from that bout where he was thoroughly out-boxed, he’s looked virtually unstoppable.

Alvarez is coming off what most consider his most impressive performance, a third-round knockout victory over heavy-handed James Kirkland in May. More than 30,000 fans showed up at Minute Maid Park in Houston to witness the win.

Despite only around a third of the crowd, this bout is considered far more significant. Alvarez could claim three middleweight championship belts off of Cotto with a win.

New vs. old is only one theme of the bout. It also pits traditional boxing rival nations in Mexico and Puerto Rico. The foyer of the arena was filled with fans from both sides — though mostly Mexico — chanting and singing hours before the pay-per-view began.

No other major bouts will support Cotto vs. Canelo. Pound-for-pound mainstay Andre Ward was slated for the co-main event in a light heavyweight debut, but suffered a knee injury in training and pulled out.

Cotto and Alvarez are expected to enter the ring within the next 30 minutes. Stick with lasvegassun.com for live coverage, including round-by-round updates during the fight.

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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