Pacquiao vs. Marquez Results: Knockout Win Masks Mike Alvarado's Shortcomings

With a record of 31-0, IBF Latino Light Welterweight Champion Mike Alvarado entered his bout with Breidis Prescott as an overwhelming favorite. While Alvarado scored a dramatic 10th-round knockout, it doesn't change the fact that he was controlled for much of the fight.

Prescott, who holds a victory over Amir Kahn, was viewed as another stepping stone for Alvarado, but he gave him all he could handle. Prescott held Alvarado at bay for much of the fight and was the aggressor, as evidenced by Alvarado's swollen and bloody face.

As the fight reached the 10th and final round, Prescott was presumably ahead on the scorecards. Because of that, he sat back and tried to play it safe in order to pick up the win.

That was most definitely the wrong move against the hard-charging Alvarado as he went right after Prescott.

Sensing that he was in danger of losing and that there was now an opening, Alvarado unleashed a flurry of punches against Prescott and knocked him down before the referee ultimately ended the fight as Prescott was out on his feet.

While you have to give Alvarado credit for fighting until the end, Prescott lost the fight with his conservative approach more than Alvarado won it.

Prescott was successful against Alvarado because of his aggressiveness, but he essentially invited Alvarado to go for the knockout in the 10th.

At 31 years of age, the now is the time for Alvarado to make some noise in the light welterweight division. While he is perfectly capable of beating lesser opponents, he won't be able to get away with sleepwalking through most of a fight against more savvy opponents.

Alvarado is a good story and an exciting fighter, but I don't think he has what it takes to compete against top light welterweights like Tim Bradley, who picked apart Joel Casamayor on Saturday night.

Alvarado's punching power saved him this time, but it won't work against higher quality competition.