Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez Defeats Miguel Cotto In Title Fight

In a middleweight title fight Saturday, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez beat Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision to capture the lineal and WBC Middleweight championships.

Scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111.

While it wasn’t the flashiest performance from either fighter, the two put on a technical show. Alvarez was not only bigger and stronger, but faster and younger than Cotto, and trainer Freddie Roach took full advantage with a game plan similar to the Floyd Mayweather fight against Cotto in 2013. Alvarez has clearly improved as a fighter over the years, and when you add in his strength and size, it was no contest.

When Cotto tried to trade with Alvarez, he was forced to back down after power shots to the head and body. His signature hooks were also less effective than they should have been; he landed a few, but seemed to get more frustrated as the fight went on. Cotto was able, however, to win a few rounds with a good jab and by sticking and moving. But once Alvarez realized Cotto couldn’t particularly hurt him, he started trading with more abandon and less worry.

For Alvarez, it’s easily the best win of his career. He fought a talented and experienced fighter who’s gone 40-4 over his storied career, and won the championships from Cotto. Alvarez is now in line to fight Gennady Golovkin, who owns the WBA, IBF and IBO middleweight titles.

Cotto was going to lose the title anyways. He hadn’t paid sanctioning fees to the WBC, and they stripped him of the title. Alvarez still had an opportunity to win the title, which he did. Cotto skipped his post-fight press conference and in-ring interview, so we don’t know what’s going to happen next for him. But Alvarez’s opportunity looms large after this fight, where he took down an aging champion.

PHOTO: LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 13: Boxer Canelo Alvarez poses on the scale during the official weigh-in for his bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 13, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fighters will meet in a WBC/WBA 154-pound title fight on September 14 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)