MIGUEL COTTO has spoken confidently of his ability to hurt his opposition. Cotto’s trainer Freddie Roach has been even more clear that he believes his man will halt Saul Alvarez on November 21. But “Canelo” dismissed the barbs. “We are not impressed by Cotto’s team and we do not take this personally. We don’t listen to our rivals. We are a very serious team and do our job. I cannot fail. He is a great world champion, and we are prepared for him,” Alvarez said.

The Mexican did not predict a stoppage of his own though. “The styles will accommodate the fighters to engage in a great fight, and, you know, I’m prepared to train, and I prepared for different things in the ring. If the knockout comes, it comes, if it doesn’t, I’m prepared for whatever happens in the ring,” he continued. “We have a strategy; we have a plan. We have plan for success in the ring, and this is going to be a great fight.”

He did appreciate the magnitude of this WBC middleweight title fight. “All my fights are necessary to win,” he said. “I’m here, I’m ready to win, and I’m willing to win. All my fights are necessary to win.”