Longtime boxing commentator and analyst Al Bernstein discussed the supposedly looming fight between WBC World middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KO’s) and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KO’s) following Cotto’s latest defence of his title against Daniel Geale last weekend.
Speaking on the ‘Boxing Quick Hits’ portion of his YouTube channel, Bernstein floated a notion that will have fans who are desperate to see this fight sigh in resignation.
Referring to the comments made by Cotto’s trainer Freddie Roach after the Geale win, Bernstein feels there is a possibility that another fight may take precedence for the champion and his camp over a meeting with Canelo.
“Freddie Roach actually said after the fight that Cotto could, in a rematch, beat Floyd Mayweather now. It may have just been an idle comment, it may have been prompted by a question. Either way the interesting thing is; is Floyd Mayweather a potential detour for Cotto rather than a Canelo Alvarez fight?”
When Cotto met Mayweather in 2012, he was soundly outpointed over the distance and came close to getting stopped in the twelfth and final round. It was his biggest payday up to that point and therein lies a big reason to want to revisit old ground aside from the possibility of avenging a loss.
However, the gulf in class between them was evident and a second go around would be a poor alternative to the action-packed thriller a maiden meeting with Canelo would likely produce.
“There’s no question that boxing fans have an appetite for Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto. It is, stylistically, a very good match-up. It’s almost a ‘can’t miss’ fight in terms of excitement.”
Bernstein concedes that negotiations between Cotto and Canelo’s representatives have already begun in some form, but given the tumultuous nature of the fight game he is right to rule nothing out.
“I know talks have been going on for Alvarez and Cotto and I think that fight is likely to happen, but there is always a possibility of Mayweather looming out there.”
Mayweather vs. Cotto II was also being slated as an alternative to Mayweather vs Pacquiao this past May. It seems to have all the ingredients able generate big revenue when there are no exciting alternatives; two of the biggest names in the sport, one of them has a score to settle, both have diehard followings who show up in huge numbers to support their guy.
In the place of nothing else it’s a great fight, but in replacement of the clash with Canelo, it will not suffice for the fans. That being said, when has that ever been a barrier to the powers in boxing doing as they please?
We also have to keep in mind that Mayweather is still in possession of the WBA Super World and WBC World light-middleweight titles. Cotto, who weighed in at 153.6 for the Geale fight, could fight at 154 easily.
Mayweather-Cotto II is certainly still a feasible fight. We will see what happens.
