Golden Boy Promotions

De La Hoya Says Canelo Can Still Easily Make 154

As Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) prepares for his Middleweight title fight against Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya clarified that Alvarez can still make the Junior Middleweight easily.

Canelo Alvarez - Ismael Gallardo (6) Photo by Ismael Gallardo/RBRBoxing

As Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) prepares for his Middleweight title fight against Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya clarified that Alvarez can still make the Junior Middleweight easily.

The horizon seemed to be very large for Alvarez if he can get past Cotto, but perhaps this clarification means he’s not looking to fight anyone at Middleweight (of course, we’re all thinking and salivating at the thought of a fight with Gennady Golovkin).

Alvarez, 25, will fight the most important fight of his career since fighting Floyd Mayweather, and the Mexican superstar will need to show that he has matured since losing to the former pound-for-pound king.

The style will be different than Mayweather’s, but Cotto is definitely an A-level fighter who will show us what the past two years have done for Alvarez. He’ll need to make tactical adjustments both before and during the fight–something he failed to make in his fight with Mayweather and something he’ll need as he continues to face high-level opposition.

As far as the Middleweight division is concerned, it looks like we won’t be headed towards a showdown between Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin just yet.

Indeed, in an interview with FightHype.com’s Ben Thompson, Alvarez will not be ready for Middleweight until another year or so.

“At this moment, my body isn’t ready for 160 pounds. Maybe 1 or 2 more years I’ll be ready for 160, I don’t know, but I’d be delighted to fight someone like Gennady,” said Alvarez.

It looks like he’ll either have to fight drained Middleweights or Junior Middleweights who are willing to fight above 154.

The Junior Middleweight Horizon Demetrius Andrade - AP Photo Eric Gay Photo by Eric Gay/Associated Press

Because Mayweather recently vacated his WBC Junior Middleweight titles, Alvarez could also drop back down to fight for the title he previously held. This would allow him to stay at his natural weight longer and fight a high level of opposition, though because of political reasons even that is limited.

The Charlo brothers, Austin Trout and Julian Williams are all options that would be unavailable, not only because they don’t have the appeal of a fight with Golovkin, but also because they fight exclusively under Al Haymon‘s Premier Boxing Champions.

Another option, however, could be Demetrius Andrade, who expressed his willingness to participate in a tournament the WBC will hold with some of its top-rated fighters in order to determine its new 154-pound champion.

Andrade says he’s willing to participate in the tournament, especially after being stripped of his WBO strap earlier this year.

It looks like Alvarez will stay at Junior Middleweight, and a fight against Andrade seems a likely high-level opponent for Alvarez.

But then again, this could all be derailed if Cotto defeats Alvarez this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada on HBO pay-per-view.

This is all speculation, but both divisions are in need of clarity, especially since Alvarez and Cotto are Junior Middleweights who are fighting for a big portion of the Middleweight crown.

What do you think Alvarez will do if he is successful this Saturday? Let us know in the comments section.

Check out what else De La Hoya had to say below:

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