Miguel Cotto says he doesn’t need a world title to lend importance to tonight’s showdown with Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

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The Puerto Rican was stripped of the WBC middleweight title on the eve of the fight after he refused to pay a $300,000 (Dh1.1m) sanctioning fee demanded by the body.

The 34-year-old believes the fee was excessive, seeing his offer of $125,000 (Dh460,000) rejected. Instead the WBC have announced the belt will go to Alvarez if he wins tonight, or to interim champion Gennady Golovkin if Cotto was to emerge victorious.

But the Puerto Rican (40-4, 33 knockouts) insists a fight between two of the world’s most popular boxers hasn’t lost any of its prestige.

“I don’t need a belt to fight Canelo,” said Cotto, a world champion in four different weight classes.

Cotto is on a three-fight winning streak and is said to be rejuvenated under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. However, he does find himself starting as the outsider against the naturally-bigger Alvarez, who is also nine years his junior. 

On his part, Roach isn’t worried. “We are going to box a lot in this fight,” he said. “I want him using his foot speed and his angles. He’s a more complete fighter now than ever.”

But Roach admits he’d love to see Cotto knock out Alvarez – then call out Floyd Mayweather to end his brief retirement and put his 49-0 record on the line.

“Miguel always tells me that if he had me in his corner when he fought Mayweather he would have knocked him out,” Roach said. “I think Miguel could pull off the strategy I have to beat Mayweather.”

But first is Alvarez who despite his age has a formidable record of 45 wins and just one loss (to Mayweather) with 32 knockouts. The bout is being fought at a 155-pound catchweight and the Mexican’s power could trouble Cotto.

“At this point, I feel very solid,” Alvarez said. “I’m ready and I’m going to show it on Saturday.”