By Radio Rahim
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is not very confident that Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (48-1-1, 34KOs) will step in the ring next year with IBF/IBO/WBC/WBA middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (36-0, 33KOs).
There are ongoing discussions between their respective promoters to match the two boxers in a high profile pay-per-view showdown next September on Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The two boxers were slated to fight this fall, but Canelo vacated his WBC middleweight belt and dropped back to 154-pounds.
Roach is not blaming Canelo for the long delay in making that fight happen. He believes the Mexican superstar would take the fight.
In this situation, Roach places the blame at the feet of Canelo's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.
"Canelo is getting better and better, but I don't see that fight [with Golovkin] happening right away - because I still think Golden Boy is protecting their cash cow, because they don't have another one," Roach said.
Last month, Canelo returned to the 154 ranks and knocked out previously undefeated Liam Smith to capture the WBO junior middleweight championship. Smith went down four times before the fight was stopped in the ninth round.
Roach is very familiar with Smith, which is why the veteran trainer was really impressed by Canelo's performance in that fight.
"Liam is a tough guy. I know Liam very well. He trains over here [at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood]. I've been with him in the UK. Liam is a tough guy. That was a good win. [Canelo] looked really good in that fight. That was impressive," Roach said.
"I didn't think he would do that good in the fight with [Miguel] Cotto. I think he's becoming better and better with each fight. His people are doing a great job and I think he's becoming a threat."