By Ian S Palmer
There will be a super welterweight unification bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday April 20 when WBC kingpin Saul Alvarez meets WBA champ Austin Trout. Alvarez was figuring to meet Miguel Cotto, but Trout beat the former world champion by a unanimous decision back in December and now gets a title shot and big payday against Alvarez.
The unbeaten 22-year-old Alvarez of Jalisco, Mexico will enter the ring with a record of 41-0-1 with 30 Kos while the 27-year-old Trout of Las Cruces, New Mexico is also undefeated at 26-0 with 14 Kos. This is an excellent matchup between two young undefeated boxers who both have power and determination. Alvarez has already had 42 pro fights at the age of 22 and has a wealth of experience for such a young fighter. He’s stopped four out of his last five opponents and this will be the stiffest test of their careers for both fighters up to now.
The Mexican has taken on several boxers who are in the twilight of their careers or are simply past their peak. These include Carlos Baldomir, Shane Mosley, and Kermit Cintron. He’s also beaten Matthew Hatton, Alfonso Gomez, Lovemore Ndou, Ryan Rhodes, and Jose Cotto since turning pro in 2005. The only blemish on his record is a four-round draw against Jose Juarez in a four rounder back in 2006. On the other hand, Trout hasn’t really fought anybody of note other than Cotto.
Alvarez is a complete boxer though who can take a punch as well as he can deliver one. He’s not the hardest guy to find in the ring and Trout will be sure to test him. He’s got good power in both hands and just keeps digging away until he eventually wears his opponents down. He may have to get used to Trout’s stance since the challenger is a southpaw. Trout likes to keep his opponents of balance by throwing a variety of punches from all angles. He feints a lot and knows how to establish distance in the ring.
Trout fought well against Cotto, but the Puerto Rican is arguably in the twilight of his career. Alvarez, on the other hand, up a rising star and improves his skills each time out. Trout could be a boxer that rises to the big occasion though and if he is, he’s going to give the WBC champion all he can handle and then some. While Alvarez has the advantage of youth on his side that’s all he has since he stands 5-foot-9 with a 71-inch reach and Trout is half an inch taller with a one-inch reach advantage,
Prediction
This is a tough fight to call as they’re both excellent boxers who can give and take with the best of them. Both of them should have their moments in the fight and this could come down to who has the better chin and tougher body. A win by either of them wouldn’t come as a surprise since they’re so evenly matched. It’s possible that Alvarez is slightly overrated at this stage of his career though. He’s fought some decent opponents, but not really anybody who has been in their prime with the credentials of Trout. Look for a mild upset here as Trout takes this fight by a decision.
