At just 20 years of age, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is one of boxing’s biggest attractions but the jury is still out as to whether he can be called a prodigy at this stage. The kid from Jalisco, Mexico has certain ring characteristics that beguile his youth and one man who has always been a huge believer in him is his promoter Oscar De La Hoya with Golden Boy Promotions.
De La Hoya had a decorated career himself, including winning multiple titles in six weight divisions and a resume that saw him face a slew of top contenders and champions while often carrying the sport on his back. Last night De La Hoya took in Alvarez’s twelfth-round TKO over Ryan Rhodes in Jalisco and once again came away a bit smitten.
“I have to admit that at 20 years old I wasn’t even thinking of doing the things Canelo can do In that ring,” said De La Hoya via his personal Twitter account. Kind of hard to believe at that same age himself Oscar was relishing his role as the WBO junior lightweight champion of the world and just beginning a string of performances in the Las Vegas area.
One fight that has often captured the attention of many is a fight between Alvarez and newly-minted WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who pounded out a debilitating victory over Germany’s Sebastian Zbik earlier this month to collect his strap. The two fighters both already have a huge following and De La Hoya wouldn’t hesitate to match his man against the son of the living legend.
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“[I] would make Canelo vs Chavez jr. anytime at 154 pounds,” Oscar continued.
In attendance last night at the Arena VFG was formidable contender Alfredo ‘Perro’ Angulo, who has been sidelined from fighting in the United States for a myriad of reasons over the past year or so. Angulo’s fighting future in America is unclear but he does looked to be pegged for an August 20th return in Mexicali and is ranked #2 in the WBC’s junior middleweight rankings.
Angulo is a menace in the ring because of his aggressive nature but De La Hoya doesn’t seem too concerned at the moment.
“Ok let’s say I do throw him in with Angulo and [he] beats him. Whoever comes up with the best excuse of why Angulo lost gets a Golden Boy T-shirt.”
Jokes aside, it looks more and more likely that Alvarez could be returning this September, possibly against crude Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga in Las Vegas.
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
