
Originally Posted by
The Sweet Science
[img]http://75a9.http.cdn.softlayer.net/0075A9/thesweetscience/images/Cotto-Canelo-d2111.jpg[/img]
The boxing world has been hungering for a real-deal super fight, a pairing that would surpass the Super Bowl of over-hype, an antidote to the Ishtar was Mayweather-Pacquiao.
Hopes abounded that the Saturday night clash, between Miguel Cotto, an aging but resurgent Puerto Rican icon, and the cinnamon-topped Mexican hitter Canelo Alvarez, would fill the bill, make us forget that night when Mayweather and Pacquiao made oodles of cash, but not one fan to the sport.
And you know what, it satisfied.
More so if you are a fan of Canelo; after 12 rounds, the judges had it for the Mexican, whose power was superior and whose stamina was quite reasonable, by scores of 117-111, 119-109, 118-110.
The Ring middleweight title was up for grabs, though the max weight was 155, or under.
Canelo, age 25, came in with a 44-1 mark, Cotto, age 35, was 40-4.
In the first, Cotto was moving ever so smartly. Canelo was a step behind.
In the second, we saw more movement from the Puerto Rican, and Canelo looked to close the distance. A sharp right from Cotto was the best land of the round.
In the third, Canelo got a bead on him. His right was on message. Slip, dip and rip right from Canelo was spot on.
In the fourth, they were trading jabs. Cotto was moving, and busy, and Canelo was having fun, dancing some. His right hand made Cotto blink hard.
In the fifth, Cotto ripped combos. A left upper from Canelo landed clean and this fight was tight. In the sixth, more shuffles from Canelo. The jab from the Mexican was effective. Lederman had him up 4-2. In the seventh, Cotto was more stationary, and looked to fight inside. Canelo was so confident, his right upper after a Cotto right fell short was nasty.
In the eighth, Cotto wanted more space, and his work in the second half of the round, based on his legs, won it for him.
In the ninth, Cotto had the edge in power punches. Cotto's jab and movement worked for him, too, though. In the tenth, Cotto was busier early. He had good energy...Cotto complained he was hit on his back. He was dancing, then Cotto got stumbled late. In the 11th, Cotto was moving, maybe too much. He was looking less fresh. In the 12th, we got some action we were hoping for, rumbling. A cut formed on the Cotto left eye, and he looked in avoidant mode. To the cards...