Miguel Cotto to defend title against Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Miguel Cotto retained his WBC middleweight title after Daniel Geale by technical knockout in June

Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto is to defend his WBC middleweight belt against two-time world champion Saul Alvarez of Mexico on 21 November.

The fight at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas will be Cotto's 11th bout against Mexican opposition.

Cotto, 35, who has won titles in four divisions, has rebuilt his career after bringing in trainer Freddie Roach.

"Fans will enjoy a real fight, another classic battle in the Puerto Rico vs Mexico rivalry," said Cotto.

Manny Pacquiao trainer Roach joined Cotto in 2013 after the Puerto Rican had lost two consecutive fights.

Cotto has since won his last three fights and boasts 40 victories in 44 bouts while Alvarez has just one loss in 45 contests.

The fight is the latest in the long line of Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry that has included Oscar De La Hoya v Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez v Hector Camacho and Salvador Sanchez v Wilfredo Gomez.

Cotto retained his title in June with an easy win over Australia's Daniel Geale, while Alvarez last fought in May, when he knocked out American James Kirkland.

The 25-year-old Mexican's only defeat came at the hands of Floyd Mayweather in 2013.