Los Angeles - At just 19-years-old, Mexican boxing wunderkind Saul "Canelo" Alvarez holds an undefeated record of 31-0-1 (23 KOs). In his four years as a professional fighter, the biggest challenge of his career will come in the form of Puerto Rican Jose Miguel Cotto, the older brother of superstar Miguel Cotto, and whose record of 31-1-1 (23 KOs) mirrors that of Alvarez, except for his one loss, a disappointing unanimous decision defeat at the hands of the former Undisputed Lightweight World Champion Juan Diaz. Alvarez and Cotto will face off on May 1 as part of the televised pay-per-view undercard of Who R U Picking? Mayweather vs. Mosley with Alvarez making his HBO Pay-Per-View® debut.
A punishing puncher, "Canelo" has yet to be tested by the likes of a veteran opponent of Cotto's caliber.
"I know what I'm up against," said Alvarez. "It doesn't faze me. I want to be a world champion; beating Cotto will get me one victory closer to achieving my goal."
The older Cotto knows a thing a thing or two about world titles. Having been close to winning the WBA World Lighweight title twice (once in the Diaz loss and another in a draw against Prawet Singwancha), Cotto knows a world title is not as easy to capture as it seems.
"This is going to be a great fight, a war inside the ring," said Cotto. "My experience will show him what I'm about. Alvarez doesn't know who he is about to fight. I will have a big win on May 1."
Although Alvarez's goal may seem lofty, he has been preparing since he first started boxing eight years ago, when he picked up the sweet science at age 11 and subsequently dropped out of school in the eighth grade, against his parents' wishes, to pursue boxing full-time. It was after seeing his oldest brother Rigoberto (Rigo) make his professional boxing debut, "Canelo" was hooked.
Now in his fourth year as a professional, Alvarez holds the NABF, WBA Fedecentro, WBC Youth, and WBO Latino welterweight title belts and since turning pro, has certainly made his mark. Known in his native land as "Canelo" ("Cinnamon") for his white skin, freckled face and red hair, he has turned into a fan favorite, becoming a boxing rock star, drawing multitudes of fans and selling out large venues up to 15,000-seat capacity. Golden Boy Promotions' President and 10-time world champion, Oscar de la Hoya, has high hopes for Alvarez. "I think he has it all," said De la Hoya. "He has the skills and the charisma. He can be a superstar; it's only a matter of time."
For Alvarez, coming to America, where he has only fought twice before in 2008, means the next step. He hopes to lure Mexican American fans to join his followers and to become what other great Mexican champions such as Chavez, Morales and Marquez have become-a hero representing the great pride and tradition of the storied Mexican fighter.
"I fight for my people each and every time I step in the ring, and now to fight in Las Vegas on such an important night of boxing is the next step of my career," said Alvarez. "It's a very important fight for me and it's an honor to be part of this big Mayweather vs. Mosley event. Making it an even bigger fight, it's taking place on Cinco de Mayo weekend, it continues the great boxing tradition of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico and I am facing a tough opponent in Jose Miguel Cotto in order to show the world that I am a great fighter and a future world champion."
