Canelo Alvarez made a statement when the year turned over to his promoter Oscar De La Hoya. He wanted to fight on May 2nd. He wanted to take the Mexican holidays in May and September back from Floyd Mayweather, who had made it a tradition to fight on those dates. For a while, it looked like that would be the case.
With negotiations moving forward with Miguel Cotto as the second biggest fight financially in boxing. It seemed that Mayweather would either have to fight Manny Pacquiao or move from the date in general as no other opponent could come close to what Cotto and Canelo would bring.
But as always in boxing things and the fight we thought was not makeable (Mayweather-Pacquaio) was makeable, and the one we thought was a sure thing (Cotto-Canelo) fell apart. But Canelo is fighting a week after against James Kirkland back in Texas where he brought upwards of 40,000 fans last time out. This time he will practice his craft in Houston at Minute Made Park where they are expecting 50,000 fans and Canelo is ok with that.
“Of course I wanted to fight on the Cinco de Mayo weekend but we can finish off the celebration with my fight on May 9th,” Canelo said in a report by ESPN Deportes.
Canelo feels he has to be ready for the best that is James Kirkland, not only physically but mentally as well.
“I have to train hard for this fight and be well prepared,” explained Canelo. “I’m a strong fighter but I’m also an intelligent fighter and most fights are won with intelligence.”
Canelo can also toot his horn that maybe his strong move to grab May 2nd from Mayweather was a reason that he actually chose to fight Pacquiao.
“I’d like to think that I had something to do with Mayweather-Pacquiao being made because I always said the only way I was moving from the May 2nd date was if they made the big fight happen,” stated Canelo. “So because of that I feel like I had a hand in the fight actually happening. It’s good for the sport and good for the fans that they are fighting. I am happy for them.”
