Saul "Canelo" Alvarez KOs Ryan Rhodes: Who's Next? Top 5 Alvarez Challengers

Saul Alvarez, aka "Canelo," has defeated his biggest challenge at light middleweight (154 lbs) so far in Ryan Rhodes (45-5, 31 KOs).

Rhodes was hurt by Canelo's right hand in the 12th and final round. Alvarez attacked the hurt Rhodes with a gang of punches that prompted the referee to stop the fight. This earned Alvarez a TKO (technical knockout) victory.

Alvarez will likely move on to bigger and better competition after easily dominating a British warrior like Rhodes. Here's a list of five boxers who may be in Alvarez's near future.

5. Vanes Martirosyan

Here is Martirosyan knocking out a contender Bladimir Hernandez in less than two rounds.

Professional Record: 30-0, 19 knockouts

Martirosyan is a skilled Armenian-American boxer trained by Freddie Roach, possibly the best trainer in the world.

He's 25 years old. He has an extensive amateur and Olympic boxing background that includes a victory over future welterweight (147 lbs) world champion Andre Berto.

Though his competition doesn't really stick out as fantastic, Martirosyan does have steadily improving skills and a two inch height and reach advantage that could prove a great challenge for Canelo.

What Could Stop This Fight?

Martirosyan is signed with Top Rank, rival of Canelo's promoter Golden Boy. If the two companies are willing to come together as recent news has suggested, this event could happen.

If not, then boxing will miss out on two talented young undefeated fighters facing each other.

4. The June 25th Winner of Cornelius Bundrage vs Sechew Powell II

Sechew Powell ends what is quite possibly the most entertaining first-round match of the past ten years.

Sechew "Iron Horse" Powell's Professional Record: 26-2, 15 Knockouts

Cornelius "K-9" Bundrage's Professional Record: 30-4, 18 Knockouts

In their initial match against each other in May of 2005, both men were unbeaten. Powell was 15-0. Bundrage was 21-0.

In the first nine seconds, they landed left hands at the same time to cause a rare double knockdown and got right back up.

The referee didn't give them a proper count out of confusion at this odd occurrence.

Apparently Bundrage was far more hurt than Powell, because Powell landed one more flush left straight to the nose and Bundrage tumbled across the ring.

Bundrage tried to get up twice and fell over, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

The knockout was so quick, 24 seconds into the fight, that many question whether it was just a lucky occurrence for Powell.

Since then, both men have fought well. Bundrage has defeated Cory Spinks to earn the IBF light middleweight title.

Powell has become his number one contender, so they face each other after nearly a year of talk.

Bundrage has his chance to prove their first match was just a fluke.

Powell has the chance to prove it wasn't and being age 32 going against a 38-year-old opponent doesn't hurt either.

Both men have not fought since 2010. Powell hasn't fought since March of last year and Bundrage since last August.

Whoever wins this fight scheduled for June 25th on the undercard of Devon Alexander vs Lucas Matthysse, will be a powerful fast opponent for Alvarez.

The winner also gives Alvarez his first unification match, which would be tempting for the young fighter to rack up his already fast-growing list of accomplishments.

What Could Stop This Fight?

Bundrage took many months after winning his title to finally give Powell his title shot.

Powell stayed out of the ring over a year.

Alvarez fights once every three months.

If Powell or Bundrage decides to fight once a year or every eight months as their recent records seem to indicate, then Alvarez will just continue to fight everyone else.

Golden Boy is quickly trying to make him into a star, signing fight after fight, lining up dates and venues for his next fight even before Alvarez finishes his current fight.

When Alvarez becomes an American household name, he may slow down in his matchmaking long enough to consider these highly inactive fighters.

But by then, Powell and Bundrage will most likely be retired or washed up.

3. Kermit Cintron

Here's a look at Cintron's controversial "FallGate" situation.

Professional Record: 32-3-1, 28 Knockouts

Cintron has beaten the likes of Alfredo Angulo and David Estrada, but never a true boxing star.

Canelo could be his first star to attempt to eclipse when or if they ever meet in the ring.

Though Cintron turns 32 this year and hasn't fought since May of last year, he's still a hot commodity.

He's only lost twice by knockout to the questionable hands of Antonio Margarito and a questionable decision against Paul Williams.

Margarito has since been caught with plaster in his gloves before a match with Shane Mosley and the Williams decision is constantly up for debate.

During the Williams match, Cintron fell out of the ring during the fourth round.

Some say he jumped out the ring to avoid Williams, yet many observers felt Cintron was winning the three completed rounds before he fell.

The match was stopped and the judges were forced to give scores to the four rounds, even though the fourth round had not been completed.

California rules say a boxing match must complete four rounds, before it can be scored. This is a controversial point about this match.

Two judges scored in favor of Williams. One scored for Cintron. Cintron loss by technical decision and has complained ever since.

If Canelo is to beat Cintron, he must do so in a clean unquestionable manner or else he becomes another loss Cintron can write off as if it never happened.

Cintron is very tough and one of the hardest punchers of the 154 lb division. Canelo's defense will have to be up to par if he wants this fight.

What Could Stop The Fight?

Cintron is another fighter recently signed to Top Rank. Canelo is signed with Golden Boy Promotions and the companies are bitter rivals.

Supposedly, they're coming together to bury the hatchet and pick up the mic to promote fights together.

I'll believe it when I see some fights signed that pit fighters from the opposing brands against each other.

2. Miguel Cotto

A quick look at Cotto's last title defense against Ricardo Mayorga.

Professional Record: 36-2, 29 Knockouts

Cotto is a Puerto Rican world champion.

Alvarez is a Mexican world champion.

Cotto is highly popular and so is Canelo.

If the two ever meet for a unification match, fireworks would blast to the Moon from the excitement.

Though Cotto is more experienced than Alvarez, some say he isn't the same Cotto after experiencing brutal knockouts from both Margarito and Pacquiao.

Cotto has taken severe damage even in victory against the likes of Zab Judah and Joshua Clottey.

Alvarez's boxing skills have noticeably improved and were on display against Ryan Rhodes, who was unable to land many significant blows.

Though Cotto is lightyears over Rhodes, he may not have the same killer instinct that could get him through some tough moments with the young star that is Canelo.

What Could Stop This Fight?

Again, Cotto is promoted by Top Rank and Canelo is promoted by Golden Boy. But the rivals could come together, especially for something with a lot of potential big money.

Big money fights are usually the catalyst to get enemies to become business partners and Canelo vs Cotto is definitely BIG MONEY.

Another factor that could stop this fight from happening is that Alvarez's team may not see him fighting Cotto yet.

Cotto is an elite veteran with multiple world championship victories across three weight classes and against other big names like Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, and Ricardo Mayorga.

His list of victims reads off like a Who's Who of Boxing.

Anyone who does the matchmaking for a barely 21-year-old kid would understandably be cautious about pitting their fighter against such competition.

1. Alfredo Angulo

Here's a career overview of Alfredo Angulo

Professional Record: 19-1, 16 Knockouts

Angulo has an amazing action-packed style that has made him numerous fans, especially in the Mexican community.

Though Angulo has visa problems that kept him out the U.S. and from fighting since July 2010, there are rumors of plans to get him back in the ring in August in Mexico.

Alvarez has already shown he can fight in Mexico and still achieve broadcasts on HBO with no problem.

Alvarez and Angulo in Mexico is an automatic sellout crowd and sure to please action-fight fans.

Angulo was at Alvarez's title defense against Rhodes in Mexico. As with Mayweather being at Ortiz vs Berto earlier this year, the Boxing community can surely expect he's scouting an opponent.

One can never assume anything to be an accident or coincidence in the carefully planned and staged world of Boxing.

What Could Stop This Fight?

Nothing. If the fight can't happen in the United States, they'll make it happen in Mexico where it will likely be more popular and make more money anyway.

Angulo is promoted by Gary Shaw, but who know's if the arrangement will last.

Shaw hasn't been a difficult promoter to deal with so Golden Boy could work with him. But chances are that Angulo could try to sign with someone new after not landing a fight in nearly a year.

Promoters are usually blamed for inactivity of a boxer and this case will likely be no different.

If Golden Boy is quick to grab him, Angulo could become their newest signed act, making Alvarez vs Angulo a more profitable and possible event.