Canelo Alvarez has a huge fight coming up Saturday against big-punching junior middleweight James Kirkland, and it's a fight that Golen Boy president Oscar De La Hoya says marks the beginning of a new era in boxing. Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s reign atop the sport is almost over-he said his last fight will be in September-and many fans won't miss his defensive style or his careful matchmaking.
De La Hoya said that Alvarez is going to be a kind of anti-Mayweather, constantly seeking top opposition and not protecting his glossy record.
"This is a perfect example of not worrying about losing a fight or having an undefeated record," De La Hoya told CBSSports.com. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that you fight the very best, you go up against the very best and try your very best. This is a perfect example."
Kirkland has his flaws, namely a general disregard for defense and a penchant for getting hurt early, but he also has tremendous punching power and seemingly unlimited stamina and aggression. His style might be tailor-made for Alvarez's brand of powerful counter-punching, but he is a threat. Alvarez has also fought opponents whose styles he struggles with; the most notable fighter in that category aside from Mayweather is slick southpaw Erislandy Lara.
If Alvarez gets by Kirkland, there's been much talk of a bout for Miguel Cotto's WBC middleweight title. Another option may have fans salivating even more-Gennady "GGG" Golovkin, the WBA and IBO middleweight champion. He has knocked out 19 straight foes, and no fighter has more buzz among hardcore fans. De La Hoya and Alvarez are fighting for the casual fans though, and De La Hoya said he thinks Alvarez will fight Golovkin "eventually," when he's become a bigger draw.
"He's eventually going to fight Golovkin, and the question is at what point do we let him loose? The time will come. And at the right time, people will see that fight. Golovkin has to fight somebody at 168. Golovkin keeps calling out fighters who are 154. He has to call out somebody at 168 and challenge a big name, like Andre Ward for instance. If he has that type of signature win, then he can maybe become a pay-per-view fighter."
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