Veteran boxing trainer Freddie Roach claimed that conditioning will be a big factor in the showdown between World Boxing Council middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and former titlist Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Roach believes that in this area, his boxer has the upper hand. The trainer shared that Alvarez may not have the same kind of commitment with regard to proper conditioning before a fight, basing on what he heard from his gym staff in Santa Monica, Boxing Scene noted.

The coach relayed that when "Canelo" trained at the Wild Card West previously, he failed to show up in his daily sessions. Alvarez even did not show up for a week, and those instances made a bad impression on him. Roach even regarded him as someone who was just "a young kid who's got the world by the balls" and that he is "going to do what he wants."

However, Roach still commended the young Mexican's fighting skills on the ring.

"He's a very good puncher, he's got a good right-hand, he's young, he's dangerous," Roach said.

Yet, he still maintained that their camp has a way into crushing the hope of the 25-year-old boxer to take home the WBC crown.

"I'm not sure how durable he is. I think he can be broke down. I think he fatigues in the middle rounds quite often in most of his fights. He's very good early and I think in the later rounds he fades a little bit," the trainer added.

The boxing coach even told Fight Hub that Cotto can defeat him in the seventh or the eighth round.

Cotto Is Ready

It seems that Cotto is truly prepared to clash with the Mexican challenger. Cotto told Fight Hype that he is ready in this "newest chapter" of his boxing career. The Puerto Rican even declared that boxing fans will witness the "best Miguel Cotto" they have ever seen, despite him having "faced everyone" and had proven himself to the world.

Team Cotto's and Roach's Statements Do Not Bother "Canelo"

"Canelo," who only lost to the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013, per BoxRec, is unfazed of comments coming from the other camp, especially those given by Roach, Boxing Scene noted.

Alvarez respects the other side's freedom to voice their opinion, but for him, he really does not want to engage in this kind of tirades. However, the Mexican golden child is prepared to do the talking inside the ring through action. "Canelo" is firm that he is also ready to face the seasoned Cotto with the right fighting style.

Will Alvarez disprove Roach's criticisms on the ring?

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