FOR several reasons, this is a huge fight for boxing, for Miguel Cotto, and for Canelo Alvarez.
There are several angles which come into play, not the least of which is the longstanding rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico. These two guys represent the power and standing of each nation’s boxing landscape today and will no doubt be extremely aware of the fistic history between them. I think to a certain degree in fights like this, representing their home is as important in many ways as representing the titles they are fighting for.
The WBC have made their move, stripping Cotto before the fight, but the linear middleweight championship that traces back through history to men like Sugar Ray Robinson, Carlos Monzon and Marvin Hagler carries far more significance, and obviously means a great deal to a great many people involved with fights like these. Cotto-Canelo is a fight that will actually have a real impact on the history of the sport.
Finally, each man knows that a win in a fight of this magnitude on a stage such as this, the victory sets up another big fight for big money. I am sure it is on both of their minds that there is still a chance Mayweather may come back and if he did the winner of this fight would certainly be considered an extremely viable opponent. If not that then certainly a huge fight with GGG would be a natural. So the winner will have bragging rights, he will become an even more revered icon in his home country and he will be in line to make yet another astronomical payday.
This fight has major significance in the boxing world today.
