by James Slater – Mexican star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez sure has had a run of bad luck finding a suitable Pay-Per-View-worthy opponent for his September 15th fight in Las Vegas. First Paul Williams was tragically injured in that awful bike crash, ruling “The Punisher” out, then James Kirkland, still recovering from a shoulder injury, reportedly priced himself out, and then, this past Saturday, Victor Ortiz was shockingly beaten by late sub (for Andre Berto) Josesito Lopez.
So now the search starts anew for the Sept. 15th date.. Promoter Bob Arum has said it could either be Carlos Quintana, a former champ, or current titlist Austin Trout next for Canelo; while big names Marcos Maidana, Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan have all called out Alvarez.
Of these names, Trout is arguably the most talented, but is he a Pay-Per-View attraction? Maidana certainy is, yet he seems too smal to fight Alvarez, a strong and peaking 154-pounder. Maidana, however, said on his Twiiter page that he wants the fight and that he “has faith” he would KO the reigning WBC light-middleweight boss. And Maidana is never in a bad fight, is he? Golden Boy are interested in Maidana facing Lucas Matthysse, who brutaly stopped Humberto Soto on Saturday night. Maidana has said he would be reluctant to face his countryman, but that he would do so if he had to. This too has the look of a great match-up.
Quintana, a one-time winner over Paul Williams, looks the favourite to land the date with Canelo to me. Fans may be reluctant to pay to see this match-up, but time is fast running out – and maybe Alvarez’ next fight will be demoted to regular T.V instead of P-P-V. In light of the lack of marquee names available for the Mexican sensation, that seems the right way to go.
But whoever he winds up facing on Mexican Independance Day, Alvarez will be expected to win and look good doing it. And just think for a minute how one-sided Alvarez-Ortiz would have been had it taken place as planned! Lara might be able to test Canelo, and maybe Trout (I’m not sure about Martirosyan? but again, are these guys big enough names to deserve the big fight?