By Miguel Rivera
It's been almost two weeks since Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez took to Twitter to announce his HBO televised encounter with James Kirkland.
The Mexican superstar has already started training in San Diego, but certain details - like the date and venue - have yet to be finalized.
The promoter of both men, Golden Boy Promotions, are hoping to stage the fight on May 2nd - at the Alamodome in San Antonio or the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Everyone is waiting to see if Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao is agreed upon for May 2nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. If Mayweather-Pacquiao is actually made and set down for Cinco De Mayo weekend, Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya told BoxingScene.com last week that Canelo-Kirkland would move to May 9.
"We have not yet started the strong stage of the preparation. That will begin in the first week of March, and there will be seven weeks of sparring," said manager Chepo Reynoso to ESPN Deportes. "We are waiting for the date. De La Hoya's people are speaking with us. We are calm in that respect, there is no concern."
He also says Canelo's ankle injury, which forced him to withdraw from a December fight with Joshua Clottey, is holding up well with only minor pain after doing runs for long periods.
"He has pain in his ankle at the end of his jogging runs. He puts his ankle in ice water and then in warm water, everything is under control," Reynoso said.
