By Luis Sandoval
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is getting ready for his fight with Josesito Lopez which will take place on September 15th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. Many were expecting Alvarez to be taking on a bigger name fighter on the popular Mexican Independence Day but due to three possible opponents falling by the way side, Lopez was chosen instead.
Alvarez is in arguably the deepest division in the boxing and has a good group of possible opponents to choose from should he be victorious against Lopez. Many have been critical of Alvarez as they feel he has yet to take on a tough opponent in his weight division and even gone as far as to say he’s avoided certain fighters.
When Alvarez was on the most recent edition of BoxingScene’s official radio show The Boxing Lab, he was asked what he tells those fans and critics who question if he’s really willing to face everyone in his division; especially the likes of Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan who don’t carry the big name other fighters have but are equally as good.
“I’m ready to fight whoever. Obviously I prepare myself but I’ll fight anyone. You put them in front of me and I’ll fight them. What I’ve always said is the people want to see fighters they know and are familiar with. They want to see attractive fights. So guys like Lara and Vanes, the people don’t really know them so that’s why those fights probably have not been made. Or who knows. All I know is I’m here to fight anyone” declared the reigning WBC Junior Middleweight champion.
Lost in the criticism is the fact that Alvarez did indeed agree to fight three tough fighters in James Kirkland, Paul Williams, and Victor Ortiz. Through unfortunate circumstances and sheer bad luck, all three opponents withdrew from a possible fight with Alvarez. But for those who may think Alvarez is running from a real test, he claims the opposite.
The two biggest and best fighters in his division are Floyd Mayweather Jr and Miguel Cotto who just got done fighting each other in one of the biggest fights of the calendar year. When Alvarez was asked when he’d be ready for them, he left no doubt.
“For me, it would be right now. I would love to fight Miguel Angel Cotto and [Floyd] Mayweather. Either of them. I’m ready” stated Alvarez.
Before any future plans can be made, Alvarez must take on the man who probably gave us the biggest upset this year when he defeated Victor Ortiz this past June and that’s Josesito Lopez.
You can listen to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s interview in its entirety by listening to The Boxing Lab podcast: http://tobtr.com/s/3449453
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.
