The charisma, strength, hunger and the skill of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Jalisco have intrigued Oscar De La Hoya so much that he has vowed to sign Alvarez next year at whatever the cost.
At the press conference earlier this month to announce the Mosley-Berto championship fight, De La Hoya stated that his next step will be to sign Alvarez because he feels that he will be the next Mexican boxing idol.
“‘Canelo’ will be fighting on December 5th and I am already in talks with Rafael Mendoza so that we can be singing contracts by the end of the year,” the six time world champion stated. “The talks are fairly advanced and I am sure that we will work with him as his promoters.”
“The people in the United States ask me for ‘Canelo’ and I think he has everything to succeed in the United States,” De La Hoya said about the nineteen year old fighter. “he has everything to bring out the passion of boxing fans.”
“He knows how to fight, he has passion and everything necessary to be a great champion, he already has many fans that respect him and love him in Mexico, Televisa has done a great job and he has a great team. I think he can be the next great Mexican champ,” De La Hoya finalized.
Alvarez turned professional four years ago at the age of 15 but before that he enjoyed a great amateur career, winning a national silver medal in 2003 and a gold medal in 2004. He fought in more than 200 amateur fights.