Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Alfonso Gomez, now official for the Mayweather-Ortiz undercard on September 17, provokes mixed feelings. On one hand, Gomez is a nice developmental fight for Alvarez and it should be hotly contested while it lasts. On the other hand, it’s a farce of a world title bout featuring an undeserving champion against an equally undeserving challenger. The purist finds the fight putrid. The realist is okay with it.
The “Human Beat Box” nickname used in this week’s title not only refers to Gomez’s rapping “skills,” but also to the fact that he’s likely to take a beating at the Staples Center that night. The last time Gomez was in the ring against an elite fighter, Miguel Cotto easily dismissed The Contender cast member, literally rolling his eyes at the ease of it all. Of course, El Canelo is not elite. So, that’s something.
Gomez deserves respect as an honest fighter who always puts in an earnest effort. He’s the boxing equivalent of a really solid back-up catcher, but there is a reason back-up catchers rarely make the All-Star game. If anyone can make the 21-year-old prospect/champion, Alvarez, fight with urgency, though, it’s a guy like Gomez, who is taking this fight seriously, even if most aren’t.
For the record, the Star Power pay-per-view should be a nice night of action, with the Mayweather-Ortiz main event probably being the slowest fight of the card.
Erik Morales and Jorge Barrios couldn’t put on a bad performance against one another if they tried. Yeah, Barrios has been inactive, both are well past their primes, and, of course, there’s the ridiculous WBC 140 lb. title bout designation. But, as far as action goes, there should be a good 4-6 rounds of solid work with plenty of blood for those who demand “War.”
