CANELO ALVAREZ HAS GOT THE ESSENTIALS
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Sep 2013
ON Sept. 19, 2010, Saul Alvarez, 20, of Mexico fought former world welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir of Argentina in a companion main event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
After the second minute of the first round, the venerable Larry Merchant, working the fight with Jim Lampley, commented that Alvarez was ?a well-schooled young fighter.?
It took Alvarez nearly five rounds to uphold Merchant.
The young sensation took out the grizzled but visibly shopworn Argentine ?who had never been floored in nearly two decades? with a perfect left hook to the chin at 2:58 secs. of the fifth round.
**
It was a dominant performance by Alvarez.
Maybe Merchant thought the stoppage had come too early.
The veteran boxing analyst next wondered if Alvarez, in scoring an early KO, felt it was a case of too much too soon for the good-looking strongboy with flaming red hair who has also come to be called Canelo or Sweet Cinnamon.
Merchant failed to get an affirmative reply.
Canelo instead told him, through an interpreter, that all he knew was that he always worked very, very hard and always came to do his utmost best.
**
So how much longer would it take for him to be ready for the best welterweight of them all, two years three years?
Maybe a year and half, Canelo remarked smiling.
On Sunday, nearly three years after that all-revealing post-fight with Merchant, Alvarez, 23, meets ? the best of them all? when he clashes with Floyd Mayweather Jr., 36, for the world light middleweight crown.
They do battle at the catch weight of 152 lbs.
**
Canelo, who started boxing professionally at age 15, must?ve felt he was more than ready for Mayweather as ealy as a year ago.
But WBC President Jose Sulaiman said he thought Alvarez could?ve used two or three more fights before clashing with Mayweather, reigning king of boxing.
There?s the common belief among keen observers that Canelo holds an edge in power, anchored on his youth and great build.
Alvarez was also judged as a fairly accurate puncher.
**
In that 2010 bout against Baldomir, Canelo did it with a vicious left hook that had been set up by right straight. It was a neat, well-planned execution that rendered the stoppage nearly clinical.
Canelo also displayed good balance and very promising footwork.
All told, this could only mean that the princely power puncher has got the fight essentials.
**
Of course, Canelo would be needing more than his youth, superior build, power and accuracy when he meets the master of disaster at the Last Vegas MGM Grand this weekend.
Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times noted that Mayweather indeed has rapid footwork, punching speed defensive skills.
?But it?s his quick productive thinking that could be the decisive factor,? Pugmire said.
Mayweather adjusts and adapts at the slightest hint of danger, as though the gods of boxing have offered to reward these rare smarts especially to him.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026