Canelo Alvarez Defeats Miguel Cotto: Fight Wrap Up

By Anthony “Stacks” Saldana (At Ringside)

Last night the Boxing world turned it’s attention to the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas as a renewed rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico took place in the boxing ring, as Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 46-1-1, 32 KO’s from Guadalajara,Jalisco Mexico took on Miguel Cotto, 40-5, 34 KO’s from Caguas, Puerto Rico for the lineal Middleweight Championship of the World. The first televised bout that kicked off the great rivalry was undefeated WBC Silver Featherweight Champion Jayson Velez, 23-0-1, 16 KO’s from Caguas, Puerto Rico he battled Santa Ana California’s Ronny Rios, 24-1, 10 KO’s. Ronny came out in the first round super aggressive beating Valez to the punch. Through the first two round Velez played the part as the counter puncher pacing himself as both fighters began to attack the body. Through three this fight continued to be a back and forth battle as Rios and Velez both continue to attack the body. In the fourth round Ronny was warned twice for throwing low blows and in the fifth round Jay Nady stepped in and took a point from Ronny Rios for the numerous shots below the belt.

Rios came back later that round and began to score big shots on the face of Velez and may have turned that into a 9-9 round.In the sixth round Rios stayed away from the body and continued to land bombs on the face of Velez. Rios through seven continued to beat Velez to the punch and land the stronger more effective aggressive punches to the face and body. In the eighth round Rios landed a huge left hook to the jaw of Velez, Velez has appeared to completely slowed down. In round nine Velez is did absolutely nothing, and Rios outclassed Jayson. The tenth and final round was a back and forth battle. The final score card was 97-92, 95- 94, 96-93 for the new Featherweight Champion Ronny Rios.

For the second fight of the night two time olympic gold medalist and former WBA and WBO Super Bantamweight Champion and top pound for pound fighter Guillermo Rigondeaux, 15-0, 10 KO’s took on former WBA Flyweight Champion Drian Francisco, 28-3-1, 22 KO’s. Rigondeaux worked a very slow pace in the first round and you could hear the boos through the crowd after the first round. Through three Guillermo continued to show great footwork and great defense but his style is super boring in my opinion. Through the 5th the technical show by Rigondeaux continued as the large Mexican crowd continued to boo Guillermo. Let’s cut this short Rigondeaux completely dominated was very boring and did just enough to win each and every round. judges card 100-90 x2 and 97-93 for the unanimous.

In the Co-Main event Takashi Miura, 29-2-2, 22 KO’s took on and defended his WBC Super Featherweight title against Undefeated Francisco “ El Bandido” Vargas 22-0-1, 16 KO’s and boom first round fireworks, the complete opposite of the last fight. Vargas came out and hurt the champ bad and is absolutely destroyed Miura with the uppercut but Vargas came out of that round cut. Vargas came in the second round and continues to stagger Miura with combinations and heavy right hands. In the third Miura began to hit Vargas with some heavy body shots and combinations to the face. In the fourth Miura downed Vargas, in a spectacular comeback, Miura hurt Vargas to the body and then caught Varags with a huge straight left hand to floor him for the first time in his career. This fight really reminds me of Gatti Ward. Vargas is cut and his eye is swelling up bad these as these two fighters continued to beat the hell out each other. In the eighth Miura seriously cut Vargas for the second time and hurt him bad as Vargas was saved by the bell. The 9th started and boom down went Miura in a turn of events. Miura was out on his feet, the crowd went absolutely wild what was a special fight. The fight was stopped in the 9th and Francisco Vargas came away with the TKO. The Miura Vargas fight was definitely a fight of the year candidate and an instant classic.

Finally the main event. After 20 minutes of horrible anthems, Canelo began the long ring walk to blaring Mariachi music.Then Miguel Cotto as the large Mexican crowd booed and continued to boo as Cotto was introduced. Chants of Mexico rang throughout the electric crowd. Round one was pretty even both fighters exchanged body shots and Cotto seemed to throw a few more punches than Canelo. In round two Canelo was more aggressive hitting Cotto with hooks to the body. Round three Canelo began to pick apart Cotto with continued body shots, Cotto did tag Canelo with a few good jabs. Good fourth round had both fighters landing some very hard shots on each other. Great fifth for Canelo. Cotto’s punches have no effect on Alvarez. The sixth round was an even round but again Canelo had the heavier shots. After seven Cotto looked tired and defeated. Round eight was an all action round but Canelo continued to beat Cotto to the punch. in the 9th round Cotto began getting hit with bombs by Canelo, but showed all heart. The tenth round goes to Cotto, Canelo looks a little tired and seemed to take a break that round, a round that ended with a straight jab to Canelo’s face by Cotto. 11th round another closely contested battle this fight could go either way. Awsome 12th round the final judges scores 117-111, 119-109, 118-110 unanimous for Canelo, I really saw the fight a lot closer then the judges but still had Canelo with the victory.

In the preliminary fights of the Canelo Cotto undercard undefeated Hector Tanajara 4-0, 3 KO’S kicked it off by defeating Jose Fabian Naranjo. 3-2-1, 1 KO. with a first round KO. Then Golden Boy prospect Zhang “big bang” Zhilei 6-0, 3 KO’s won by decision over Juan Goode, 6-3, 5 KOs 38-37 on all judges score cards in a four round fight. In an all out war undefeated Jose “Chiquro” Martinez, 15-0, 11 KO’s took on undefeated Oscar Mojica 8-0, 1 KO. “Chiquro” won by unanimous decision in the first Puerto Rico vs Mexico battle of the night. The last preliminary undercard fight showcased Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado, 12-0, 10 KO’S as he defeated Tyrone “Hands of Stone Lucky” 8-4-2,6 KO’s by brutal Knockout just 19 seconds into the first round. Official time 2:41 of round 1.

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