The most picked outcome was again the outcome. However, it was not the brawl that many were expecting. If anything, the show had already been stolen by the Miura-Vargas brawl, which saw both fighters down, and a questionable stoppage. It was a great fight, in which a title belt changed hands on a KO, and most certainly, a rematch will be fought. While certainly more entertaining than most recent PPV, and competitive enough to make it tense, Canelo won by UD, just as most were predicting. No one needs to see it a second time.
Both men should be praised for things that were not exactly their most known strengths. Cotto's chin more than held up, and while Canelo is not the banger that many people think he is, Cotto did not so much as stagger, let alone wobble. This is the same man who used to suffer flash knockdowns at 140lbs, so it is commendable. Canelo, on the other hand, should be praised for his defense, hand speed, upper body movement, and ability to outbox Cotto in spots. Cotto did a very good job of moving, and controlling when they exchanged, but in most of the rounds, all the telling blows were landed by Alvarez.
While I had it a bit closer than the judges, 116-112, I realize I was giving Cotto any round that was close. How anyone could have it any closer is beyond me. I am the first to say that heavier shots should not be scored better than light punches if there is no damaging effect (see all of Provodnikov's losses for example), but Canelo actually outlanded Cotto as well. Canelo actually won this fight with his defense, which is what made the difference. True the chin difference allowed Canelo to stay in the pocket long enough to land, however, the 25 year old did not panic at Cotto's chin or heart, and just went back to making Cotto miss.
There are actually people out there, including Cotto himself and trainer Freddie Roach, who actually felt that Cotto won the fight. It is quite sad that there is dissent on seemingly every decision. The blame for this should be spread thinly over many layers of the sport. Judges are not trustworthy in the slightest, to the point where fans cringe before even the most obvious of decisions are read. Another level of blame goes to the preponderance of rematches... where lazy matchmakers and promoters would rather rehash an old deal than make a new one. With the twice-a-year schedule most fighters are on, this is incredibly annoying, and hurts boxing.
However, most of the blame (ironically) should go to the culture blamelessness, where nothing is ever our own fault. Surely OUR man could not have lost, so there must be a reason. In the faceless internet world, devoid of most forms of traditional accountability, there is nothing to lose by making a crazy assertion, unless you are beholden to a corporate entity. Excuses are not shamed. In fact, they are encouraged, therefore even after sane people just watched one thing, the haters of the victor take to social media and tout one excuse after another as to how the result is void. The sane fans need to be louder, here. Canelo won, it's over... let's move on to GGG.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com