Canelo Alvarez: “Miguel Cotto did give Mayweather a better fight, but he also fought Austin Trout and he lost and I beat Austin Trout!”

The big event between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Miguel Cotto is now less than two weeks away and with this middleweight championship battle drawing ever closer, the camps for both fighters are making their final preparations for the fight. Canelo now 25, recently joined the media from around the globe to answer their questions about this upcoming title encounter. Here is what Canelo Alvarez had to say.

Q: This is your second really big fight — the other being the Floyd Mayweather fight. What lessons did you learn from the Mayweather fight that you can use going into this fight?

Canelo Alvarez: I learn from all my fights, I gain experience from all of my fights. I’ve had important fights, I’ve had difficult fights and I’ve learned from all of them. I will use all of my experience on November 21st to win this fight. I have to give my all in the ring, so I will use everything that I have learned to this point.

Q: Was fighting Mayweather for the unified titles a bigger fight than fighting Cotto for the middleweight title?

Canelo Alvarez: Both were important, every fight is important to me. That fight was for a different title in a different weight class, which was very important. This fight with the rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico and the opponent that I’m facing, it’s very important. This is why I’m very motivated and very excited for this fight because I know the great responsibility that I have. I’ve worked hard in the gym and now we’re just waiting for the day of the fight.

Q: Some people have said that this fight could solidify you as a great Mexican boxing idol. What do you think of the magnitude of this fight?

Canelo Alvarez: We understand the magnitude of the fight. We fulfill our responsibility with our training and the work we do every day to get to this fight at one hundred percent. Winning this fight is what is important, it’s what I visualize each day. As far as being an idol, I think that is something extra, I’m just focused on winning this fight and moving forward.

Q: Miguel Cotto has said that he took issues with you and your team and he even said you were cowards. Do you take this personal or is Cotto just a stepping stone for your career?

Canelo Alvarez: No it’s not personal at all. We don’t disrespect our opponents, we are serious and we just do our work, we don’t get involved with anything else. The only thing I have to say is that Miguel Cotto is a great fighter, he’s a fighter that’s won everything and now it’s our turn to fight and I’m very happy for that because I know it will be a great fight.

Q: Do you feel the pressure of a fight like this or did the fight with Mayweather prepare you for this?

Canelo Alvarez: No, I’m motivated more than anything. I’ve learnt a lot of things during the past years and I’m relaxed for this fight. I’m focused on giving my best effort and focused on winning the fight.

Q: Oscar, are you risking a lot in this fight with the best fighter you have in your stable? What does it mean to your business to win or lose this fight?

Oscar De La Hoya: Nothing, this is an important event for the world of boxing, for all the fans. I’m not looking at this fight in terms of risks, we want to give the public the best fights with Canelo Alvarez and that’s it. The most important thing is that the people are happy with the fight. Saul is well prepared and Cotto is well prepared, and I think they will give you guys a good fight.

Q: Do you see this fight going the distance or do you predict a knockout?

Canelo Alvarez: I’m not thinking of a knockout, the knockout is something that comes in the fight. I’m prepared for twelve rounds and I’m ready for anything that happens in the ring.

Q: Miguel Cotto is a more skilled boxer than your last opponent, James Kirkland. What kind of fight are you expecting from Miguel Cotto?

Canelo Alvarez: Yeah Cotto and Kirkland have very different styles. I’m prepared for Cotto, we prepared specifically for Miguel Cotto, knowing of the great challenge we have ahead of us.

Q: Do you consider this fight to be a must win fight?

Canelo Alvarez: Yes, it’s necessary to win each fight, all of them. I’ve trained to win, I have a winning mentality and I want to win.

Q: Some of the people who think that Cotto is going to beat you say that Cotto did better against Mayweather than you did. Does that mean anything to you?

Canelo Alvarez: No, of course not. Styles make fights and maybe he did give Mayweather a better fight, but he also fought Austin Trout and he lost and I beat Austin Trout. I don’t look at that, I think it’s always a different fight when you step in the ring.

Q: Do you think this fight has what it takes to become a historical fight?

Canelo Alvarez: Without a doubt it will be a great fight. Our styles are perfect to give a good fight and I can tell you that I’m bringing everything to this fight so that on November 21st we give a historic fight in the ring.