Former boxing world champion Orlando Salido sees a close fight between Miguel Cotto and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on Nov. 21 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Salido said that both fighters have their own advantages against each other. He pointed out that Cotto's experience will be a factor, while Canelo's youth could also work into his favor.

Salido said, though, that Alvarez could score a knockout against Cotto, comparing the upcoming fight to his knockout win against Juan Manuel Lopez in 2012. Salido went toe-to-toe with Lopez before he floored his opponent for good during the 10th round of the bout.

"I think it's an even fight," Salido told ESPN Deportes via BoxingScene. "Cotto has the experience but there is some advantage in favor of Canelo due to his youth. I think it might be a fight like I had with Juanma, a competitive fight from start to finish, but Canelo's youth and strength should give him victory, even by knockout."

Salido also added that he expects both fighters to come 100 percent prepared on fight night. Aside from the World Boxing Council middleweight title that will be at stake on Saturday, Cotto and Canelo will battle for pride, as their showdown will be a part of the historic rivalry between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters.

During an interview with BoxingScene, Alvarez said that he has been pushing himself in training camp. He added that he got words of encouragement from his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya, who also had historic fights against Puerto Rican boxing icon Felix "Tito" Trinidad before.

Alvarez, who holds a 45-1-1 record with 32 knockout victories, revealed that De La Hoya visited his camp several times and gave him a much-needed confidence booster heading into his title fight against Cotto.

"Oscar has been in big fights and has great experience," Alvarez said. "He gives me advice but he also knows that we are a very disciplined people, who are dedicated to being 100% and people know that we do our job well. He knows that I am a very dedicated fighter, that I have the qualities to win."

Alvarez, whose only loss came against Floyd Mayweather in September 2013, is coming off an impressive third-round knockout victory against James Kirkland in May.

On the other hand, Cotto, who has racked up 40 victories against just four defeats, defeated Daniel Geale via fourth-round knockout during his first title defense in June.