Saul "Canelo" Alvarez has a fight coming up on May 9 vs. dangerous knockout artist James Kirkland, but another name is still on his mind-WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. Alvarez and Cotto have tried twice to make a super fight happen to no avail, but there are strong rumors circulating that they'll meet in the fall if both win their upcoming fights.
"I've always said that Cotto is a natural fight, a fight that should happen, and I hope that the third time is the charm and we can reach an agreement and provide this fight for the people," Alvarez said. "And if not, as I have done with other opponents, I have to choose the best available and move on. But I hope the fight is done."
Alvarez's opponent does not figure to be a pushover. Kirkland is a popular action fighter with a 32-1-0 record that includes 28 knockouts. Kirkland engages in firefights, and is known to have a deep well of stamina that allows him to maintain constant aggression. He will be fighting on a 14-month layoff, and he will not have his usual trainer, Ann Wolfe, in his corner. Kirkland is undefeated with Wolfe; without her he suffered his only loss, a first-round knockout against Nobuhiro Ishida which was supposed to be little more than a showcase fight.
Alvarez has performed better against stationary sluggers in his career as well, and struggled with slicker, defense-first fighters like Erislandy Lara.
Cotto is slated to return to the ring on June 6 at Barclays Center against former middleweight champion Daniel Geale. Should he win, he has been mandated by the WBC to defend his title against WBA and IBO champion Gennady Golovkin. If he fights Alvarez instead, he will likely have to drop his belt.
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