Cotto all set for Alvarez in November. (Photo : REUTERS)
WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto will defend his title in November against ex-WBC and WBA junior middleweight titleholder Saul "Canelo" Alvarez at a catchweight of 155 pounds.
The agreed weight is five less than the middleweight limit of 160 and one over the junior middleweight limit of 154.
Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) won three previous fights over James Kirkland, Erislandy Lara and Alfredo Angulo at 155 pounds.
Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) weighed 155 pounds when he knocked out Sergio Martinez in the 10th round to win the middleweight championship 13 months ago.
He weighed in a mere 153½ in knocking out Daniel Geale in the fourth round in his first defense on June 6.
Whoever wins will have to defend against mandatory WBC challenger Gennady Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs), most likely at the middleweight limit.
David Iskowitch, COO of Roc Nation Sports, Cotto's promoter, said their fighter will not vacate his title if he beats Alvarez in order to avoid fighting Golovkin as insinuated by some observers.
Golovkin was supposed to be Cotto'snext challenger but both the WBC and Golovkin agreed to let the Canelo take a shot first.
The fight, being peddled as a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico matchup, is expected to earn a tremendous amount of money on HBO pay-per-view.
Roc Nation Sports and Alvarez's promoter Golden Boy, are still finalizing the specific date and venue.
Las Vegas is the likely venue although the parties are still looking at the possibility of holding it in New York's Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden.
There are two leading fight dates that have a bearing on the choice of arena.
If it takes place on Nov. 7, the promoters will look to book MGM Grand while a Nov 21 fight date will likely utilize the Thomas & Mack Center as fight venue, with the Wynn Las Vegas as host casino.
