A year of tense negotiations have paid off. Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto have agreed to terms for a November 21 title match on HBO pay-per-view at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
The bout, which will be at a 155 catchweight for the WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight titles, will be one of the most anticipated clashes of 2015. As the defending champion, Cotto believes this installment of the storied “Puerto Rico vs. Mexico” rivalry will stand the test of time.
“I will give the fans the fight they want to see,” said Cotto. “As I have always said, during my whole career, 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. Fans will enjoy a real fight, another classic battle in the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”
Canelo, who has been critical of Cotto’s uncompromising negotiating style, credited fan demand for forcing the two sides to make necessary concessions.
“Historically, mega-fights are made because fans demand them,” said Alvarez. “In this case, the fans have spoken out, longing for this fight and it is my pleasure to say that it is finally happening. All fights at this level are very important, but this fight in particular has something more. It will hold a special place in history as part of the big rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, and I promise all the fans that this is going to be an event that will not disappoint.”
Cotto and Canelo’s respective promoters, Roc Nation Sports and Golden Boy Promotions, will jointly oversee the event. At press time, the undercard has not been announced.
