Even though he didn?t lay out his opponent on Saturday, rising star Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez laid to rest all but the most stubborn misgivings about his shining 42-0-1 (30 KOs) record. As the WBC junior-middleweight (or, if you prefer, light-middleweight) titleholder going into his bout against WBA champion Austin Trout, Alvarez had a lot to prove. This time, he wasn?t facing an opponent who was over-the-hill or undersized. Trout, who was 26-0 (14) going into the fight, had previously outpointed a still-highly-regarded Miguel Cotto, and Canelo-doubters figured that Trout (whose nickname is ?No Doubt?) would be able to outbox Alvarez.
There were times when Trout was able to do just that. But Alvarez showed that he?s learned valuable lessons from the mostly one-sided fights he?s had. He learned how to outbox a boxer. In the process of defeating Trout, Canelo showed that he is more than just a banger who relies on pressure tactics to wear his opponents down. He demonstrated defensive skills that surprised Trout, who acknowledged that Alvarez was not the fighter he expected to see. And the seventh-round knockdown Alvarez scored indicated that his punching power is for real rather than just hype.
By winning a convincing ? if hard-fought ? unanimous decision over the highly regarded Trout, Alvarez unified two 154-lb titles, won The Ring magazine?s recognition as champion, and made himself even more of a player in the division than he already was. Here?s how Canelo matches up against The Ring?s top-rated junior-middleweights:
Ishe Smith: Having just won the IBF title from Cornelius Bundrage, Smith is on a roll. But he is also a well-worn veteran. The energetic Alvarez would walk him down in an entertaining contest.
Zauberek Baysangurov: He could be another Russian ?sleeper? who could do to Alvarez what Ruslan Provodnikov did to Timothy Bradley earlier this year. But Alvarez still has to be the favorite here.
James Kirkland: With 27 KOs in 32 fights, Kirkland possesses the power to stop Alvarez with one punch. But Kirkland does not possess the skill or savvy to deal with Alvarez, who is himself no slouch as a puncher.
Carlos Molina: With only 6 KOs in 32 bouts, Molina does not possess the power to stop Alvarez with one punch ? or 100. Molina might be able to finesse his way through the first few rounds, but Canelo would eventually catch up with him.
Vanes Martirosyan: Like Kirkland, the undefeated Martirosyan (32-0-1 (20) has a puncher?s chance against Canelo. But that won?t be enough.
Erislandy Lara: The Cuban stylist, who is cut in the mold of Trout, could pose similar difficulties for Alvarez. And he might prove to be a more difficult problem to solve. Alvarez would need to be at the top of his game to handle Lara.
Miguel Cotto: Cotto isn?t shot. But he?s past his peak. The peak version of Cotto would have to be favored to beat Alvarez. The past-his-peak version would put up a good fight, but would also absorb a beating.
Austin Trout: Rematch, anyone? Alvarez?s victory on Saturday was convincing, but not overwhelming. It was far from the whitewash Guillermo Rigondeaux recently laid on Nonito Donaire. Maybe Trout could adjust his tactics sufficiently to win a second fight. Maybe not. It would be interesting to find out.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Two years ago, Mayweather-Alvarez would have been a mismatch. Now ? it?s intriguing. ?Money? Mayweather?s got some business to take care of at Welterweight next month, in a bout with Robert Guerrero. If Mayweather wins, a lucrative meeting with Alvarez could happen later this year. If Guerrero pulls off an upset, then ?Money? is off the table.
Greatness beckons Canelo. So far, he is answering the call.
