By Rick Reeno
Several strong Mexican sources have advised BoxingScene.com that a physical altercation took place between WBC 154-pound champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, and Archie Solis, the IBF champion at 108-pounds. The physical confrontation took place on ther street in Guadalajara, Mexico. Several sources indicate that Solis was confronted by Alvarez on the street, and some words were exchanged. According to Solis' version of the story, Alvarez started attacking him.
Solis suffered a broken jaw and a broken tooth and he was taken to a local hospital, where the boxer is scheduled undergo surgery later tonight.
BoxingScene.com spoke to Solis' promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, who confirmed the story. Beltran advised BoxingScene that criminal charges are going to be pursued against Alvarez - and a civil lawsuit will be pursued for damages. Solis was scheduled to fight in December, but his injuries will delay his return until 2012 at the earliest.
"Yes, it's true and there will be criminal charges. It's sad because Canelo is denying everything. Finally he fought a good fighter, except it took place in the street. I think Canelo went over to Archie because of something he said about him. The version we have is the version of Archie Solis. He said that Canelo came to him and said 'I was looking for you **** and you ****.' Then he pushed him. And then he started attacking him with punches. He broke his jaw and broke a tooth. He's going to have surgery later tonight," Beltran told BoxingScene.com.
"It's sad because this sport has a lot of issues, and Canelo is a good prospect and a lot of people talk about him, and we don't need this with a guy like him attacking a good little champion at 108. And by the way, it was a technical knockout because [Canelo] couldn't drop [Solis]. Canelo is denying everything. I have the version of Archie Solis. Everyone, the Mexican press, is at the hospital with Archie."
"We are going to put out the pictures of his jaw and there were four witnesses there. He's going to proceed with a lawsuit because it's not fair. He had a fight scheduled for December and now his year is over. Maybe it's the end of his career? Who knows if he can fight again? It's sad that a champion at 154-pounds would do this to another champion at 108."
Alvarez has already denied the allegations to several third-party sources.
