LAS VEGAS -- Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KO's) of Jalisco, Mexico utilized his size and strength advantage to power through former champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KO's), landing the cleaner, harder shots, Saturday, November 21, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alvarez earned the nod of all three judges on the board, winning by unanimous decision (117-111, 119-109, 118-110).
Cotto employed a box and move game plan put together by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, of which he proved to be the busier fighter over the course of twelve rounds. Alvarez however, landed the cleaner, harder blows, and oftentimes visibly rocking Cotto.
Cotto's punches had very little effect on Alvarez who appeared much the larger man on fight night despite successfully weighing in at the middleweight limit.
In the end, the size and strength advantage was simply too much to overcome for Cotto who, while boxing effectively from the outside.
At times, Cotto made Alvarez miss and miss wildly, but the instances when Alvarez did land, the impact was felt throughout the arena.
Alvarez walked through everything Cotto threw with ease, rarely flinching and never backing down. Cotto hid behind a flinging jab and an occasional right hand, left hook combination.
But every time he launched the left hook, Alvarez tagged him with a counter right.
The uppercut was also available for Alvarez all night. But give credit to Cotto for having a great chin and solid punch resistance. He took Alvarez' best shots and never went down.
After the fight, Alvarez called out Gennady Golovkin in the post-fight interview with HBO's Max Kellerman.
"Before I didn't want to answer out of respect for my current opponent," said Alvarez.
"But if you want me to fight him right now, I'll put the gloves on right now and fight him right now."
A fight between Golovkin and Alvarez would be huge and is just the type of fight Golovkin needs to hit the spotlight. At this point in Golovkin's career, he hasn't really had the big money type of fight -- but it is only a matter of time.
"He's a great champion," Alvarez said of Golovkin through a translator. "I know him, he's a great friend - but with all respect I will put the gloves on and fight him now."