Saul Alvarez-Austin Trout
SHOWTIME “STEALS” MEGA MATCH
San Francisco, CA– You cannot dismiss the importance of the April 20 Showtime 154 lb. unification match between WBA titleholder Austin Trout and the WBC counterpart Saul Alvarez. This fight will answer the junior middleweight question as to who is better, Saul or Trout, but it will also be a watershed match for the winner regardless of who it is as the victor steps into an “elite” class that is virtually non-existent outside of a handful of boxers.
WHICH IS IT: CANELO OR AVOCADO?
Alvarez, known as ”Canelo” (Cinnamon in English) is also the Michael Jordan Mexico. After this fight we’ll know if he’s a ripened pugilistic cantaloupe or still green like guacamole. At 41-0-1, 30 KOs, the 22-year old has yet to be in a “real” fight thus far which can be attributed to his “budding” talent and careful matchmaking. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Alvarez will need to “impose his will” against Trout and fight on the inside if not off the 27-year old southpaw’s chest. Saul’s people see Trout (26-0, 14 KOs) as the inferior fight in close. Working the Trout torso up and down while up close and personal would reap great rewards and nab him a win on points or inside the distance.
TOUGH TO “DOUBT” AUSTIN TROUT
Talking about imposing an inside fight and doing it is two distinctively different things as Trout, an accomplished boxer who was a 2004 Olympic team alternate, will do his best to keep that lead right foot on the outside (but) at a safe difference. Should Austin be able to do this, Saul will be reaching and getting picked apart as he knocks on the door of the Las Cruces, NM native. If Saul cannot get in close, the almost-iconic Mexican fighter will lose on points or get stopped should he get reckless late.
THE POWER OF SAUL OR THE BOXING OF TROUT?
The pairing matches almost identical fighters (statistically) as they are within an inch of one another in reach and height. Expect a lot of money on the Mexican phenom as the wise-guys are split 50-50 on this one meaning the knowledgeable are betting both ways. I like Trout here because of the amateur pedigree and his being left-handed.
SHOWTIME MAKING BOLD MOVES OF LATE!
As I mentioned earlier, Showtime Championship Boxing has landed this potential mega-match. Kudos to Stephen Espinosa, Showtime sports boss, who is dealing better cards to his viewers than HBO czar Ken Hershman. Prior to securing Trout-Alvarez, Showtime inked up Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the rest of his boxing life. They just need to improve their number of subscribers like three-fold to catch HBO in quantity. As for quality, Showtime appears to have HBO already in the rear view mirror from a boxing fan’s perspective.
Pedro Fernandez