Saul Alvarez: Will Fighting Ryan Rhodes in June Open a Door to Miguel Cotto?

Twenty-year-old Mexican phenom Saul Alvarez (36-0-1, 31 KO's) is currently ranked No. 9 at 154 pounds. He owns the WBC light middleweight world title. The only thing left is for him to face better competition.

Many have said Alvarez is protected because of his popularity, youth, red hair and good looks.

This has led many to believe he will not face good fighters at 154 for at least a few years when he has grown into his body. They were wrong.

In steps 34-year-old British veteran Ryan Rhodes (45-4, 31 KO's). Rhodes has more punching power than any opponent Alvarez has faced at 154. He's also ranked No. 4.

Rhodes dominated his last 10 fights. Now, Golden Boy Promotions wants to pair its young Mexican star against Rhodes on June 18 in Mexico.

The first thing to wonder is if Golden Boy is crazy or right on time. Alvarez fought for a world title and earned it against a tough, but light-hitting opponent in Matthew Hatton.

Now, Alvarez's first mandatory challenger is bigger, more experienced and hits much harder. If anyone felt Saul Alvarez was on training wheels for the first 30-plus fights of his career, they can be sure the training wheels are coming off the bike with this fight.

Goldenboy wants their fighter to take advantage of ANY opportunity available to him. If Alvarez can dominate Rhodes, maybe No. 1-anked Miguel Cotto could be a viable match in a year or so.

That match may be difficult, thanks to Alvarez's promoter not liking Cotto's promoter, but bad blood can be cured through money.

If Alvarez continues to grow and beat better fighters, he'll certainly attract more and more money.

With so many solid fighters at 154, Alvarez was bound to have to fight one eventually. And after Rhodes, there's Cornelius Bundrage, who holds the IBF world title at 154, Miguel Cotto, fellow Mexican warrior Alfredo Angulo and plenty other sharks in the ocean ready to fight.

Either Alvarez will meet the challenge of the sharks or there will be red hair and Mexican blood in the water.