The world awaits word on a Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao bout, which, if it happens, is expected to be set up for May 2. The problem there is that Canelo Alvarez has made it known he wants to fight WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto on that night, and expressed zero interest in moving off that date for any bout.
Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya has even said himself that he would attempt to convince Alvarez to switch dates, but for now the proud Mexican icon is intent on fighting the weekend of Cinco de Mayo and reclaiming it for his countrymen.
Cotto, his presumed dance partner, could balk at the matchup if Mayweather and Pacquiao decide May 2 belongs to them. Alvarez himself has said the show will go on with or without Cotto if a deal can't be struck. If so, who would Alvarez fight?
These are the top possibilities.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-1-1, 32 KO)
Chavez Jr. is a pretty big guy to be facing Alvarez, but he possesses the star power necessary for Canelo to go to war with Mayweather-Pacquiao. While the boxing rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico is deep, Alvarez and Chavez Jr. are the two biggest Mexican fighters of this era.
A clash between those two would likely be enough to attract the vast majority of Mexican fans away from any bout, even the Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight. Also, despite a size advantage for Chavez Jr., it may be an easier matchup. Chavez Jr. is slower than Cotto, and stands and brawls while Cotto prefers to box.
Gennady Golovkin (31-0-0, 28 KO)
Golovkin is scheduled to fight Martin Murray in February, but he's one of the most active champions in boxing and would surely get himself ready for a big-money fight against Alvarez.
Canelo may campaign at 154 pounds, but he's naturally larger than that and would be able to move up to middleweight a la Cotto and challenge for Triple G's WBA and IBO straps.
Golovkin doesn't have the name value just yet of Cotto or Chavez Jr., but among hardcore boxing fans he is a rock star. Canelo sold PPVs against Alfredo Angulo, so hyping up an undefeated fighter with an 18-fight knockout streak should be no problem at all.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (47-0-0, 26 KO)
Why not? Pacquiao and Mayweather have struggled to put together a super fight for years, why would it suddenly become easy? Fans have given up on any interesting prospects aside from Pacquiao, but that may be because they're not even considering Alvarez.
Mayweather outclassed him their last time out in a vintage performance, but since then "Money" has appeared to lose a half step. He was hit fairly hard at times by Marcos Maidana in both fights, while Canelo has rebounded to win two straight bouts since his only loss.
The second win was over Erislandy Lara, one of the slickest fighters in the sport. He doesn't fight with Mayweather's shoulder roll, and the win was controversial, but he earned a victory against a difficult fighter to figure out. Canelo doesn't want to give up May 2, and Floyd wants to keep it Cinco de Mayweather.
Why not run back the highest-grossing fight of all time?
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