Is Canelo Alvarez Still The Future Of Boxing?

By Bryant Romero: Now that both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have reached the twilight of their respective careers. The question has been lingering throughout the boxing world, Just who will be the next pay per view stars of the sport? That question seemed much clearer just six months ago, when both Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Adrien “Da Problem” Broner were being groomed by Golden Boy Promotions as the future superstars of boxing.

However, both prospective ‘stars’ would go on to lose their their unbeaten record. In the case of Canelo Alvarez it wasn’t just that he lost; it was how he lost. He was humiliated in front of the world and given a boxing lesson at the hands of Floyd Mayweather. Canelo just couldn’t deal with the speed, athleticism, and elusiveness that Floyd brought to the table. He was flat out schooled by the master boxer that is ‘Money’ Mayweather in what would go on to become the most lucrative prize fight in history. Canelo promised to shock the boxing world on September 14, 2013, but what was more shocking was that he didn’t put up much of a fight. One could argue that a past his prime and semi retired Oscar De La Hoya put up much more resistance to Floyd.

In the sport of boxing however, people have short memories and you are as good as your last fight. Just ask Erislandy Lara, people don’t seem to remember that he was dominated by Carlos Molina the current IBF light Middleweight champion but somehow escaped with a draw. Lara was also involved in a stinker of a fight not too long ago against Vanes Martirosyan televised on HBO. Now Lara is viewed as the boogeyman at 154 pounds after two good wins over Alfredo Angulo and Austin Trout.

The fact is Canelo is one big win away to regain some of the luster he lost in his fight with Floyd and Alfredo Angulo is the perfect opponent for Alvarez to show boxing fans that he is still an elite fighter and possibly still the future. The pressure will be all on Alvarez to perform who at just 23 years of age is on the comeback trail and will be given the opportunity to remind the world why he was once boxing’s prodigy.

Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo is a live dog in this fight. He possesses the size, strength, and knockout power that Alvarez has yet to experience in his career. Which is what makes this fight so intriguing, as this is the first time that Canelo is being matched with a natural Jr middleweight with knockout power in both hands who will come forward, put pressure and possibly test the biggest flaw in Canelo’s game, his conditioning.

Can Canelo Alvarez silence some of his critics with a big win over a formidable opponent? Can Alfredo Angulo finally get over the hump and register a big victory that has haunted him throughout his career against the likes of James Kirkland and Erislandy Lara?

Whatever happens on March 8^th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, this is a can’t miss matchup between two power punching light middleweights. May the best man win.