World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, who is almost 35 years old, will defend his title against a younger opponent, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, on Nov. 21 in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. While most pundits and fight fans are rooting for Canelo because he is younger, Cotto’s strength and conditioning coach Gavin McMillan does not see the Mexican’s age as a factor in the boxers' match.

“The youth of Canelo will not be a factor [come fight night],” McMillan told Boxing Scene. “I can guarantee that Miguel is stronger than any fighter ten years younger.”

McMillan also noted that the Puerto Rican champ is in better shape now compared with his condition in his previous middleweight bouts against Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez and Daniele Geale. McMillan said they are working with sparring partners 10 years younger than Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and claimed that the fighters leave the training camp with sore bodies.

The Canelo-Cotto bout will be at a catch-weight of 155 pounds. McMillan said that Cotto admitted he is a natural junior middleweight, which makes it easier for the Puerto Rican fighter to do his boxing moves.

Meanwhile, American fighter Gabriel Rosado, who dwells in the light middleweight division, also thinks Cotto has the advantage over a younger Canelo (45-1-1, 32 KOs). Rosado said Cotto has a superior boxing ability, which will enable him to out-box Canelo and grab the victory. Rosado added that he thinks Canelo is not capable of fighting strong for three minutes of every round, unlike Cotto.

“I give Cotto the advantage due to the styles,” Rosado said, reports Boxing News 24. “Canelo is not a guy that’s going to come in and try to take you out.”

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