By Laz Izada: There has been talk and questioning lately in boxing circles by fans and boxers about the way that the WBC has sanctioned a title shot for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (35-0-1, 26 KO).
“Canelo” from Jalisco, Mexico who is only 20 years old, faces EBU (European) Welterweight Champion Matthew “Magic” Hatton (41-4-2, 16 KO) this Saturday night at the Honda Center, in Anaheim, California on HBO for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title (154lbs),(A belt that was vacated by Manny Pacquiao).
“Canelo” which has a huge following out west and Mexico has, in my opinion, fought inferior opponents from 2005-2008, padding his record 18-0-1. Then he fought and defeated a lot of guys with decent records that are unknown and not ranked in the top 15.
His only well known opponents have been Jose Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir and Lovemore N’dou in 2010. He TKO’d Cotto in the ninth round and KO’d a 39 year old fading Baldomir with an impressive one punch in the sixth round, and then most recently in December 2010, he won a unanimous decision over 39 year old N’dou.
I’ll be honest with you his fight against N’dou was the only fight I’ve seen of him and I was not impressed. I was expecting more after all the hype.
Even though he was named 2010 ESPN.com prospect of the year, boxing insiders and some fans feel that if he faces an opponent with hand speed with experience, he would be easily defeated.
Cuban defector, middleweight contender Erislandy Lara (15-0, 10 KO)had something to say about the situation referring to Alvarez “These guys that beat up on old men are not what the fans want to see, and I have made my offer to all in the junior middleweight division to either fight me, or not consider themselves a champion.”
Strong words by a boxer that is also promoted by Golden Boy Promotions as Alvarez is.
I feel what it all boils down to for the WBC and Golden Boy is money and how to make the most, not who is truly worthy of a title shot.
How do you feel? Any comments or opinions? Feel free in posting. .