Photo by Eric Gray/AP Photo

3 Keys to Victory for Canelo Alvarez

At just 25 years-old, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez feels like a veteran. He boasts 46 professional career bouts and even more rounds boxed than his opponent, Miguel Cotto, who is 10 years his senior.

“Saul” is a bit of a formality; he’s known by most as just “Canelo,” the Mexican superstar who in 10 years only bares one loss, and has faced well-known fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosely, Austin Trout and Alfredo Angulo.

This isn’t the first time Canelo has challenged a boxing veteran, and all but one time he has come out victorious. He has the gifts of youth and power on his side to prove he can take the young guns and the seasoned fighters.

Here are three keys Canelo Alvarez must consider to beat Miguel Cotto this Saturday.

1. Combinations

Canelo Alvarez needs to use effective combinations on Miguel Cotto to wear him down. Canelo is known for being able to put his punches together, and this is key in being able to get ahead on the scorecards and make Cotto feel aged.

Cotto is a veteran and is banking on being able to outbox Canelo at all costs. If Canelo can’t outsmart Cotto, he can at least outwork him. The best way to do this is by using his jab frequently and effectively to set up ripping combinations.

Canelo’s activity level is important should this fight go the distance and consist of back-and-forth exchanges. He’s already an aggressive boxer-puncher and if he can make it appear he’s controlling the fight, there’s a good chance he can snag a decision over Cotto.

2. Body Punches

Photo by Tom Casino

Blows to the body are key for Canelo Alvarez in this fight. Even if Miguel Cotto is in tremendous shape, Canelo can wear him down over time if he consistently works the body. This doesn’t even mean Canelo has to try and drop Cotto with a body shot, though I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.

Canelo’s goal should be to make Cotto look 35. He appears to be in tremendous shape getting ready for this fight and should not hesitate to test the quality of Cotto’s conditioning.

Canelo should mainly think about using hooks to the body and even uppercuts to end his combinations.

3. Punch Placement

One of Canelo Alvarez’s best assets is his ability to expertly place his punches. This matters because Canelo tends to throw his punches with the same intensity, which can affect his stamina quickly. If Canelo can place his punches, he can be effective without having to expend as much energy.

Being able to place punches where he needs to will give Canelo the chance to break Cotto down however he wants, whether it’s by going to the body or testing the chin.

Though Cotto is tough, we know he can be dropped. Accuracy is one of the best skills Canelo has to make Cotto pay for any mistakes and potentially send him to the canvas.