Over the past 15 years, fight fans have grown accustomed to Miguel Cotto’s dark tenor. But, during a recent press tour to promote his Nov. 21 bout with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, a smile cracked the menacing scowl usually found on the face of the Puerto Rican pugilist.
The grin intoned an idea that Cotto, 35, knows something no one else knows, that he has a surprise coming against Alvarez. The grin conveyed that this could be a different Cotto, rejuvenated version, rebuilt under the master craftsmanship of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
“I listen to everything Freddie tells me, and I just have to follow the instructions Freddie gives me, follow our game plan, and fight my best, I’ll win,” Cotto said.