Canelo Alvarez is one of boxing's biggest names these days, but his upcoming fight vs. James Kirkland on May 9 has been totally overshadowed by Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao, which will happen May 2 and bumped Alvarez from that coveted date.
Alvarez-Kirkland will likely feature more action though. Kirkland will enter the ring with a 32-1-0 record that includes 28 knockouts. Kirkland hasn't fought in more than a year; while some of that is his own doing, he's also a feared puncher. That mean streak is what attracted Alvarez to him after he left Miguel Cotto at the negotiating table.
"I always like to fight the best fights," Alvarez said. "I like fighting the fights that people think I won't. It satisfies me. James Kirkland is one of the most dangerous fighters in the weight division. Plus, our styles are going to clash to make a good fight. I want the tickets to be affordable to my fans."
Comments like this position Alvarez as the anti-Mayweather. He doesn't want to jack up prices for his fights, and won't duck opponents perceived to be dangerous. Alvarez has willingly taken on defense-first fighters like Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara, and not exactly looked great in the process.
If he gets past Kirkland, Alvarez can put his money where his mouth is by challenging WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin to a fight that will surely make big bucks on pay-per-view. Golovkin is scheduled to fight unheralded Willie Monroe Jr. May 16 in his second fight of the year, and his promoter Tom Loeffler expressed frustration that bigger names are ducking him.
"We can't force people to get in the ring. Not Chavez, not Miguel Cotto, even though it's his obligation [through the WBC]," Loeffler said.
"Our philosophy to keep Gennady fighting has made him one of the most formidable boxers in the sport. That's what we'll continue to do: force fighters to either give up their titles or get in the ring with Gennady."
Golovkin has knocked out 19 opponents and a row. If Kirkland becomes No. 20, Alvarez-Golovkin might be the second-biggest fight of the year.
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