Cotto to face Alvarez in November

Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto will defend his WBC middleweight crown in a 12-round world title fight against former two time world champion Canelo Alvarez on November 21 in Las Vegas.

The 34-year-old Cotto, who is the first boxer from Puerto Rico to become world champion in four weight divisions, has 40 wins, four losses and 33 knockouts.

Mexico's Alvarez, 25, has won 32 of his 47 bouts by knockout and has just one defeat.

"I have always said during my whole career that I am here to fight the best names and the best fighters. This will be another chapter in my career and I will be ready for him," Cotto said Thursday.

Cotto easily defeated Daniel Geale in June, knocking the Australian down twice in the fourth round to retain his WBC title.

In May, Alvarez knocked out James Kirkland in front of 31,000 fans in Houston.

"This fight has something more," Alvarez said. "It will hold a special place in history as part of the big rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico."

The winner could eventually face WBA and IBO champion Kazakh Gennady Golovkin.
Source: AFP