Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez returns to the ring in Houston on Saturday night as he takes on James Kirkland in a fight that isn’t expected to go the distance.
When: Saturday May 9, 21:00 (ET)
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston.
Watch live: Click here to watch live on BoxNation!
Fans were left disappointed after Floyd Mayweather’s dominant win over Manny Pacquiao last week, with the ‘biggest fight in boxing history’ failing to live up to expectations.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya went as far as apologising to boxing fans for the performance of the two fighters, while also promising them that this bout would be significantly more entertaining.
Given the styles of these fighters, he certainly has a point as it is widely expected that this bout will end inside the distance with both men possessing the power to claim a stoppage.
Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KO) is regarded as the man to become the top pay-per-view star after Mayweather is gone, and looking at the figures he helped generate when he fought the unbeaten superstar, there is evidence to back up the statement.
The 24-year-old has rebounded well after that loss after winning back-to-back fights, but it is thought that he needs a break-out fight to spread his appeal to the casual fans who have not quite yet seen what he is all about.
Whether this is the fight to do that or not remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain is that he needs to be on his guard against a big puncher in Kirkland.
The American is 32-1 (28 KOs) but has had his issues in the past both in and out of the ring, but with a huge crowd expected at Minute Maid Park, this is exactly the platform he wants to break out.
Both fighters are talented and have the power to stop one another, however, it will be Alvarez’s superior skills that get him through to help him continue his ascent to the top of the sport.
COMMENTS