By Miguel Rivera

WBC junior middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (39-0, 29KOs) is yet another fighter who lost the opportunity to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. Alvarez was also trying to get Mayweather in early 2012, but the WBC welterweight champion was recently sentenced to 90 days in jail for a domestic assault issue. After fighting four times in 2011, Alvarez wants a big fight to ignite his start in 2012. Alvarez told Robert Alarcon that two of the fighters that he wants to face are Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30KOs), the WBA's champion at 154, and the WBC's number one contender James Kirkland (30-1, 27KOs). 

Kirkland is likely out of the picture, with a dangerous fight already scheduled for March 24th against Carlos Molina. Alvarez is looking to returnon April 21, but also says a date of May 5th, Cinco De Mayo weekend, is also possible. May 5th was previously reserved on HBO for Mayweather, but his jail sentence, which begins on January 6th, is going to open it up. In a recent article on BoxingScene.com, Cotto expressed his interest in a fight with Alvarez.

"It is all set to fight on the 21st of April or the first week of May, and I still don't know the opponent. We are just waiting to talk to Golden Boy. For now, the first or second week of January we will be back in training. I told my coaches that I wanted Floyd Mayweather Jr., but he's facing legal issues. We also want to Miguel Angel Cotto or Kirkland. I feel that I have to take that big step to reach those levels," Alvarez said.

Tags: Saul Alvarez