Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland was everything Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao was not.
After a very anticlimactic match, which is a major understatement, between Mayweather and Pacquiao, it was nice to see something more exciting in the boxing world, especially without having pay-per-view.
Roy Jones Jr. former boxer and current boxing analyst at HBO tweeted, “You got a boxing match last week. This is a fight!”
The fight did not even get past three rounds, but it featured three knockdowns, all by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, including a tremendous right-hook knockout blow, as Canelo improved his record to 45-1-1.
Kirkland looked as if he could have been knocked out in the first round. His defense was lacking, to say the least, and Canelo’s speed and agility were too much for Kirkland to handle, who had trouble throwing a punch after the shocking first-round that Kirkland faced.
Alvarez also used deadly accuracy, not giving Kirkland a chance to get back into the fight in the second round, where he faced another knockdown.
This dominating win couldn’t have come at a better time for Canelo. As all welterweights are vying for their chance to be Mayweather’s supposed last opponent, Canelo may have pushed himself right to the top of the list with Saturday’s knockout, who would to get another chance at Mayweather.
After the fight finished, Canelo was showered with suggestions for his next opponent almost immediately. Many would a love a new chapter in the Mexico-Puerto Rico boxing rivalry, with a possible Canelo vs. Miguel Cotto bout.
When asked by HBO’s Max Kellerman whether he would fight Miguel Cotto or even undefeated middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, who has an upcoming fight, Canelo showed no hesitation in accepting any challenge.
“I’m ready for any rival. I don’t run from anyone”
Both fights would be extremely intriguing, but Golovkin and Miguel Cotto are nothing like James Kirkland. Cotto and Golovkin actually defend their chin, Kirkland barely even has a chin at this point.
Canelo Alvarez is a 24-year-old rising star in the welterweight division but, it is difficult to see where 31-year-old James Kirkland will go. He will be noted for his toughness and heart, and there is little doubt he will get back in the ring at some point, but his ceiling has been lowered drastically by this tough loss.
Canelo’s victory was Mike Tyson-esque. Unlike Mayweather’s victory over Pacquiao, which takes a trained eye to notice and appreciate what he does in the ring.
[Image Source: Scott Halleran/Getty Images]