By Miguel Rivera

Former champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (42-1-1, 30KOs) says his compatriot, hard Mexican puncher Alfredo Angulo, was the best possible option to headline a Showtime Pay-Per-View event on March 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. IBF 154-pound champion Carlos Molina, and WBA 154-pound interim-champ Erislandy Lara, were also options.

Coming off a September decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Canelo wanted the most exciting opponent possible for the live audience and the pay-per-view customers. Canelo was not convinced that picking Lara or Molina would provide a main event filled with fireworks.

"People wants to see excitement. They want action. They don't want to see running. I decided to fight him because he is a very strong fighter, he was the best option to fight. Obviously I wanted to come back with a high level fight. "It was hard to deal with that first loss. It hurt my pride, nobody wants to lose. Floyd is a smart fighter. Fans don't like the way he fights, but he wins. I learned a lot from that fight," Canelo said.