Why Move to HBO Is Canelo Alvarez's Next Step Toward Boxing Superstardom

If you haven’t figured out who boxing’s next big superstar is going to be after current kingpins Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao retire from the sport, don’t worry.

Because HBO has.

According to a press release distributed Wednesday by Golden Boy Promotions, as well as a subsequent media conference call, junior middleweight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is leaving Showtime to sign a long-term deal with HBO.

Consider it Alvarez’s next step toward reaching the pinnacle of boxing superstardom.

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Despite a subscriber gain by rival Showtime in recent years, HBO maintains its clear lead as the premier destination for boxing in the United States. HBO has a bigger boxing budget than Showtime as well as a longer history of building megastars.

Alvarez will join an impressive roster of fighters at HBO who are in their prime, including Gennady Golovkin and light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev.

Alvarez, age 24, said his goal is to take back the traditional Mexican holiday pay-per-view dates from Mayweather and Showtime. Mayweather has targeted those specific dates, in May and September, since his 2007 win over Oscar De La Hoya.

“I want those dates. They’re Mexican dates,” said Alvarez. “I want to fight on those Mexican dates.”

Don’t be surprised when he does it.

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Alvarez is already one of boxing’s most recognizable stars. He is a cultural icon in Mexico, and his mainstream status worldwide was bolstered in his September 2013 decision loss to Mayweather.

Alvarez was too green for the master pugilist on that night, but he’s won two straight since, both on PPV.

In his last fight, Alvarez earned the best win of his career by defeating slick Cuban southpaw Erislandy Lara.

Alvarez is the real deal. He’s an immensely popular, world-level prizefighter who seems to improve with every outing.

TheSweetScience.com’s David Avila hailed Alvarez’s drawing power, especially among fight-crazed Mexican fans:

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Though some experts deride Alvarez’s fighting prowess, the redhead from Guadalajara has proven to be a draw, especially with Mexican fight fans. The Cinco de Mayo date will perhaps be scheduled in San Antonio, Texas. But first, Alvarez will fight in December. No opponent or site has been determined.

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Alvarez’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, told the media on Wednesday that Canelo would prefer to fight in Texas sometime in December. Possible destinations include San Antonio, as Avila mentioned, as well as Houston, Dallas and El Paso.

Alvarez last fought in Texas in April 2013 in front of more than 40,000 fans at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Alvarez outpointed Austin Trout in a junior middleweight title unification bout to set up his showdown with Mayweather.

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Since the Mayweather loss, Alvarez has won two straight. He knocked out Alfredo Angulo in Round 10 in March 2014 and won a split decision over Lara in July.

Yahoo’s Kevin Iole noted the humongous potential of Alvarez’s deal with HBO but also cautioned fans to temper their expectations:

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The euphoria for Alvarez fans should be tempered until HBO Sports produces legitimately quality opponents on a regular basis for Alvarez. No opponent was announced for Canelo's return to HBO, which is expected to be on Dec. 6 in San Antonio. However, the shopworn former welterweight champion Joshua Clottey is the leading contender to get the nod.

"

Clottey, age 36, is coming off a decision win over former middleweight title challenger Anthony Mundine. While he’s faced the likes of Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto during his career, Clottey is not considered a contender at this point.

But a potential Canelo vs. Clottey promotion isn’t something to be overly concerned about. Alvarez is coming off a tough win over an oft-avoided fighter in Lara, and it’s reasonable to assume he wants to stay busy until bigger and better fights present themselves next year.

Moreover, a bout against Clottey has not yet been announced. Other candidates exist, including popular slugger James Kirkland, a native Texan.

Regardless, whatever comes after Alvarez’s December bout is why this HBO deal is huge news.

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

TheSweetScience.com’s Michael Woods couldn’t help himself. Upon hearing of Alvarez’s move to HBO, Woods tried to play matchmaker. Woods is so interested in a fight between Alvarez and middleweight monster Gennady Golovkin that he called up Golovkin’s promoter to go ahead and float the idea out there.

But the most scintillating fight, perhaps in all of boxing, would be Alvarez against middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. The bout would pit two excellent and aggressive fighters against each other who are also two of the biggest draws in the sport.

Other supremely interesting matchups for Alvarez on HBO would be catchweight showdowns with Pacquiao or fellow Mexican star Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Alvarez to HBO isn’t run-of-the-mill boxing news. It’s huge, earth-shattering fodder that will help shape boxing’s future for years to come.

There’s no fighter in the sport with more superstar potential than Alvarez, and with the move over to HBO, he’ll have the large audience and the necessary opponents to make it happen.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.