We don’t know for sure yet if Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is a special kind of fighter but we do know that he has a special kind of following. The Jalisco native is already a bona fide superstar back in Mexico and has slowly been breaking himself in to American audiences.
On Saturday night Alvarez will continue to try to enhance his impression amongst US viewers with an HBO showcase against tough Brit Matthew Hatton at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The fight marks Alvarez’s first crack at a world title, as he will be gunning for the vacant WBC junior middleweight crown, but the fact that the limited Hatton got the call as his dance partner has had several people up in arms.
Hatton sports a 41-4-2 record with 16 knockouts and is known best for being Ricky’s younger brother more so than anything he has accomplished as a professional himself. What is also alarming is the fact that Hatton’s only ranking from the WBC comes in the welterweight class, where he is ranked #5, and that other seemingly more-suited candidates were looked over in granting him a shot at a world title.
In his 5-plus years a professional Alvarez has carved out a 35-0 record with 26 knockouts and while he may not do anything in particularly outstanding fashion, he is solid in all areas. I am reminded of a young Miguel Cotto when I see Alvarez attack with calculated precision. His lack of speed may be an issue down the road but for now the kid is getting by just fine.
A few months back I ran across HBO’s Larry Merchant and had a few words about Alvarez’s future. Merchant is extremely high on Alvarez and claims the fighter has a certain type of professionalism about him that beguiles his age. Merchant event went as far to say that ‘Canelo’ could make for an ideal candidate for WBO welterweight king Manny Pacquiao later this year if each man continues their winning ways.
Pacquiao of course has a May 7th date with Shane Mosley lined up at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and his promoter Bob Arum seems to be eyeing the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Timothy Bradley before even considering doing business with Alvarez’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.
Merchant’s wishes may have to go by the wayside for now but it doesn’t take away the reality that the next Mexican star could be upon us. Alvarez has a rare kind of connection with his fans and his every move from this point forward will be watched by the masses.
