Canelo Alvarez has had one dream fight dashed this year, a fight with Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto for the WBC middleweight title, and another big-time fight has been all but ruled out by Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya.
Alvarez has talked in the past about a possible all-Mexican tilt vs. Julio Ceasar Chavez Jr., arguably the most popular Mexican fighter aside from himself. De La Hoya doesn't view that fight as a possibility any longer.
"I would want it, but it would be impossible," De La Hoya said. "They are at much different weights, different divisions. Julio is now going to fight at 175-pounds and that is already way too much for Saul, who is going to be fighting at 154-pounds."
Alvarez is currently focused on fighting James Kirkland in San Antonio Texas on May 2, unless Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao agree to fight on the same date. If Mayweather keeps the date but fights anyone other than Pacquiao, Alvarez will maintain his Cinco de Mayo weekend plans.
"I'm going full steam ahead with May 2nd. We're going full steam ahead with May 2nd," De La Hoya said. "We're going to announce the ticket details shortly. Canelo-Kirkland, May 2nd, from Texas. The only way we're moving is if Pacquiao-Mayweather happens. That's the only fight that's going to move us."
Alvarez has been insistent on reclaiming the big Mexican holidays for himself and his legions of Mexican fans, but toppling Mayweather from those dates is difficult. Mayweather has beaten Alvarez already, and is the top draw in boxing. Alvarez had hoped that by rekindling the rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican boxing by fighting Cotto, he could discourage Mayweather from going head-to-head with him.
Cotto is viewed as a Plan B for Mayweather though in the event that a Pacquiao fight can't be agreed upon, and Cotto's slow movement in talks with Alvarez forced Canelo's side to leave the negotiating table.
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