By Jhonny Gonzalez

Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya has praised the growing popularity of middleweight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and junior middleweight Saul "Canelo" Alvarez among the Mexican fans. De La Hoya said in a few years, Chavez Jr. and Alvarez will be the the only two fighters capable of filling Azteca Stadium in the same as Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. The older Chavez brought over 132,000 fans to watch him beat Greg Haugen in 1993.

"There are two boxers who can fill Azteca Stadium in the same way as Julius Caesar Chavez, and they are 'Canelo' Alvarez and Chavez Jr., but in a years and not necessarily fighting each other," said De La Hoya.

De La Hoya watched Chavez Jr. batter John Duddy last month. He said he didn't really see much of a change in the style of Chavez Jr. and said it will take a few months to see the little things his trainer Freddie Roach is teaching him. He said Alvarez has what it takes to crossover with the American fans.

"In think after a  few months we are going to see the changes, and hopefully he adapts well and uses those changes to become the champion of the world. I wish him all the luck in the world," De La Hoya said. "Alvarez is a good fighter. We are going to promote him in the United States and Mexico. He still continues to fight in Mexico because we need stars in the Mexican community."

De La Hoya promotes Alvarez. He plans to use him on a show to celebrate Mexican Independence Day on September 18 in Los Angeles. The main event will feature Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora in a junior middleweight fight.

"There will be festivities all week, with music. As a Mexican race, this is a very important date for us," De La Hoya said.