By Steve Kim
So when a date is finally nailed down for the fight between Saul Alvarez and James Kirkland in May, will it take place in San Antonio, at the Alamodome as has been reported?
Oscar De La Hoya, the head of Golden Boy Promotions, is targeting May 2nd as part of Cinco De Mayo weekend, but there are still ongoing negotiations between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao to fight on the same date. The Alamodome in San Antonio is a frontrunner, but that could change depending on the exact date of the fight. If Mayweather-Pacquiao is finalized, then Canelo-Kirkland would move up a week to May 9th.
De La Hoya said on Wednesday afternoon - "We are looking to stage that fight in Texas, somewhere in Texas, if it's not May 2nd. Because obviously we're hearing rumors that Manny Pacquiao-Floyd is going to take place, [and then] next week we hear it's not taking place. So it's going back and forth, back and forth.
Texas seems to be the most ideal locale for this promotion given that Kirkland hails from the state capital, Austin, and when 'Canelo' faced Austin Trout back in 2013 he drew nearly 40,000 fans to the Alamodome.
"We're just ready with our venues, whether it's going to be May 2nd or May 9th. We're prepared for anything. So if Pacquiao-Mayweather does happen, we'll move over to May 9th," said De La Hoya.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.