Canelo Alvarez, despite getting thoroughly outboxed in September by Floyd Mayweather Jr., remains one of boxing's brightest stars and top draws. That doesn't mean lining up an opponent for the first of three potential 2014 fights is easy.
Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions seem to have their heart set on Puerto Rican slugger Miguel Cotto, going as far as offering him an eight-figure deal to take Alvarez on in March. According to reports, however, Top Rank has swooped in and offered Cotto a reported $15 million to square off with middleweight champion Sergio Martinez.
Unless Golden Boy can exceed Top Rank's deal, Cotto is likely to stick with Bob Arum, whom he's had a long and lucrative relationship with. Also, Cotto is said to covet Martinez's middleweight title, as it would be the fourth weight class in which Cotto would have earned a belt, making him the first Puerto Rican pugilist to do so.
Trainer Freddie Roach believes Cotto would handle Martinez despite moving up in weight yet again. "I already fought him once before (Chavez Jr.-Martinez). I know his style pretty well. I think I know how to beat Sergio Martinez. He's a great athlete, very fast, but the thing is he does have some flaws in his armor," Roach said.
If Cotto sticks with HBO, Alvarez's pickings are less exciting. The top candidate is likely Carlos Molina, who recently issued a challenge to Canelo. "I want to be an old-school champion. I'll fight anybody," Molina said. "I want to be recognized as the best in my division and I feel like I'm ready to go out and get victories against the top guys and unify the belts. If Mosley or Alvarez or Andrade want to be next, I'll be ready."
Another option could be the victor of Erislandy Lara vs. Austin Trout. Trout already fought Canelo once, losing a close decision while also tasting the canvas for the first time in his career. Lara is 18-1-2 with 12 knockouts. His only loss was to Paul Williams, who at the time was near the top of the weight class.
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