By Miguel Rivera

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya is expecting a record crowd for Saul "Canelo" Alvarez's fight against James Kirkland, which is currently targeted for May 2nd at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The date may move to May 9th if the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight is finalized for the 2nd of that month.

The last time Canelo fought in the venue, in 2013, he drew nearly 40,000 fans without a long promotion. This time, there is plenty of time to promote and HBO is planning to push the fight heavily because the bout is Canelo's first fight with the network since 2012. 

De La Hoya is hoping Canelo's fight will break the attendance record set by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 1993, when he packed in 59,995 (the second-highest attendance ever for an indoor bout) for a controversial twelve round draw with Pernell Whitaker.

"We are going to fill the arena and we will be looking to break the attendance record that Chavez has for his fight against Whitaker at the Alamodome. San Antonio and the rest of Texas is an extremely important market for us and we are grateful and pleased that we have great partners there to promote our fights," De La Hoya said.

The venue has a full capacity of 72,000.