I`m sorry. I`m just not buying the Cinnamon yet. We all look for the next big thing, whether its in our favorite sports, technology or life in general, We are all looking for the next fashionable trend. In Boxing, what has been rammed down my throat for about a year and half has been Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. I have a friend who is as big a boxing fan as I am and He kept telling Me about a Red-Headed Mexican by the name of Saul Alvarez.
The first chance I got to see Him in action was against Jose Miguel Cotto (Yep, Miguel Cotto`s brother) on the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard in Nov `09. Canelo showed good poise for a 19yr old and wound up taking the other Cotto out in 9 rounds. After that we`ve seen him in the ring vs Luciano Cuello? Carlos Baldomir and Lovemore Ndou? Last night it was Mathew Hatton for the WBC Junior Middleweight title and Alvarez came into the fight overweight? This should not have been a title fight and all I heard from Max Kellerman were rants and raves about Alvarez` resume?
Did Alvarez win? Yeah, yeah, yeah, a twelve round lopsided decision, blah, blah, blah. Did Alvarez look good last night You ask? Yes. Do I look good at the gym hitting the heavy bag? Sometimes! Lets face it, Fighting Miguel Cotto or Ricky Hatton win or lose would`ve gotten You some real recognition, But fighting the younger brothers of those two does not. Fighting Baldomir and Ndou, Two guys with double digit loses, will not get You much credit either. Take nothing away from Canelo, he`s just doing his job. Beating whoever is in front of Him. The problem is De La Hoya trying his hardest to turn Alvarez into the Golden Boy`s Golden Boy.
I say stop gassing everyone up already. Saul Alvarez has had 37 Professional fights, and has won all of them with 26 KO`s except for one draw. Its time to see if He is as good as advertised. Miguel Cotto fights next week vs Ricardo Mayorga. I know the buzz has been to get Cotto a rematch with Antonio Margarito but most people wont complain if Canelo was next for Cotto should He get by Mayorga. The timing is perfect.
Just think, It would unify the WBA and WBC Junior Middleweight titles and there would be a story behind it. Mexico vs Puerto Rico, or can Cotto avenge His brother loss to Canelo? Or, Is the Cinnamon sweet enough to dethrone Cotto? Hbo, Showtime, Top Rank and Golden Boy can all duke it out for the rights to it and for who gets what!
I know it sounds like I`m down on this kid, but I`m not. Its not His fault. He`s Good for our sport. He`s young, confident and talented. Too bad all of that is meaningless if He`s untested too.
Joey Santana can be reached at theboxingkidd@verizon.net
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