Where next for Saul Alvarez?

By Boxing News - 03/06/2011 - Comments

Image: Where next for Saul Alvarez?By Dan Risk: After Saturday’s one sided destruction of Matthew Hatton (41-5-2, 16 KO’s), Saul Alvarez (36-0-1, 25 KO’s) has got the boxing world at his feet after claiming the vacant WBC junior middleweight title. Alvarez was able to control the fight from the first bell using his superior power, skill and natural ability.

Hatton was hurt by some big shots in rounds 9, 11 and 12 as well as being left with a blooded nose and nasty cut above the left eye.

At the age of 20, Alvarez is by no means the finished article. At times is defense is very loose and there may be some question marks as he wasn’t able to finish off the natural welterweight Hatton.

Some credit must go to Hatton who provided a dogged display to make the young Alvarez work for his title but in truth the fight looked a bridge too far before both men stepped into the ring. Hatton gave himself too much to do against the bigger and classier opponent but don’t write him off and expect him to challenge, or win, a world title at 147 lbs.

The question now must be What Next? ‘Canelo’ is considered to be the hottest property coming out of the Golden Boy stable so it’s unlikely they will put him in with anyone to dangerous or experienced. The division is blessed with some top fighters including Miguel Angel Cotto, Paul Williams and Kermit Cintron.

Don’t expect Golden Boy to take such risks with him as they will look to build up his record and reputation as a world champion against some cannon fodder in the division. Alternatively, an interesting match-up could be against the winner of Britain’s Ryan Rhodes (45-4-0, 31 KO’s), who is ranked number 4 by the WBC and Alfredo Angulo (19-1-0, KO’s 16), the former interim WBO champion, who have recently announced a fight to take place in the summer as a final eliminator for Alvarez’s new title.

Down the line, what does the future hold? Much talk about Alvarez is that he is looking to emulate the great Mexicans like Julio Cesar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera, but can he make a similar impact at middleweight (160 lbs) and super middleweight (167 lbs)? Many if’s and but’s but what we can be certain of is that the sky’s the limit for this rare talent.



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