by James Slater – Red hot Mexican prospect Saul Alvarez, already 33-0-1(25) despite being just 20 years-of-age, takes a potentially tough assignment in his next fight, as he faces former welterweight ruler Carlos Baldomir on the September 18th Shane Mosley-Sergio Mora card in Las Vegas. Helping to make up an already interesting under-card that will feature fighters like Vivian Harris, Victor Ortiz and Daniel Ponce de Leon in action, Alvarez Vs. Baldomir could be the pick of the supporting bouts..
Baldomir, now aged 39 and 45-12-6(14), will be having just his third fight in almost three years, yet it’s pretty safe to say the Argentinean warrior known as “Tata” will have retained his rock of a chin, his determination and his overall toughness. Indeed, the man who famously won back-to-back fights against Zab Judah and the late Arturo Gatti might just give the wannabe champion his sternest test yet at pro level.
Baldomir, who has also been in with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Junior, the late Vernon Forrest and Joshua Clottey, knows just about as much about fighting at the top level as anyone you care to mention. Stopped just once as a pro, way back in 1994, the veteran will look to put pressure on Alvarez, and hope to do enough work so as to go home with the upset points win. Not a big puncher, a KO win for Baldomir really would be a massive shock.
However, as good and as clearly talented as Alvarez is, he is still learning and he can be hit and hurt. Back in his last-but-one outing, against Miguel Cotto’s brother, Jose, Alvarez was caught and hurt in the early going in Vegas, when the two fought on the Mayweather-Mosley card in May. Again, Baldomir is no big-hitter – and, it must be kept in mind how rusty he may be, having not fought since his 4th-round TKO over Jairo Siris, almost a year ago come September 18th – but it’s possible he could also hit and hurt Alvarez.
So much slower than the man 19 years his junior Baldomir will doubtless be, but with the fight being held up at light-middleweight, the Argentine will at least not have to struggle so much to make weight (although “Tata’s” last fight was fought at just below 160-pounds, and ESPN.com reports that the Alvarez bout will be fought at a contract weight of 151-pounds). For his part, Alvarez has boxed up at 150-pounds in his last two bouts, and it appears his welterweight days are history.
Fighting, somehow, for the WBC Silver belt at 154-pounds, the two men with differing styles, age and levels of pro experience are almost certain to give us an entertaining fight. Baldomir always comes forward, looking to do damage and drain his rival, while Alvarez can box and trade. The early rounds – and, it must be said, perhaps almost the entire fight – will belong to the fresher, quicker man, but Baldomir has a chance of taking Alvarez into the deep waters in the later rounds. Can Baldomir take Alvarez to a place he’s never been before when he’s tired, and can the former champ make him pay for taking this learning fight also?
Scheduled for 12-rounds, as it’s for that still relatively new (and confusing) title, I feel September’s bout will see the final bell. Alvarez has to be the favourite to win the decision, but he may have to dig deep at times. Look for “Canelo” to prevail via a hard-fought, but unanimous decision in a fan-friendly affair.