The learning curves of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez can be a deceiving character. Sporting baby-faced looks with red hair and freckles, you could be forgiven for not pegging the Jalisco native as a fighter upon first glance. But the reality is that the 20-year old is not only a capable pugilist, but one with much backing behind him and fanfare all around him.

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico on July 18th, 1990, Alvarez comes from a fighting family but stood out due to his facial makeup and red locks that he got from his mother, as all his other brothers sported dark hair from their father. He turned professional at the age of fifteen and built up a strong following in the area while tearing through non-descript opposition.

Alvarez’ attack is both poised and efficient, as his high guard is more reminiscent of a Juan Manuel Marquez as opposed to the aggressive, brawling Mexican prototypes of past years. He soon would find his record at a glistening 30-0-1 with 22 knockouts and the huge buzz around him helped draw interest from a bevy of promoters.

Earlier this year it was announced that Golden Boy Promotions had signed Alvarez to an exclusive contract and his star status was set to take an even greater jump. Speaking during a news conference in Guadalajara to announce the deal, Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya gushed when speaking of Alvarez and his future.

PHOTOS: Saul Alvarez gearing up for Carlos Baldomir

"I really think today is a historical day for Golden Boy,” De La Hoya said. “We believe Saul is going to be a star. He's already a big attraction here in Mexico and we're going to do everything we can to help him become a champion and a star in the United States."

Alvarez’ American debut with Golden Boy took place on the May 1st Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas against former title challenger Jose Miguel Cotto. It was far from a walk in the park, however, as Alvarez was hurt early from a Cotto right hand before regrouping to control the contest and stop his Puerto Rican foe in the 9th. Reflecting on that night, Alvarez elaborated on his struggles.

“Let me be honest; it wasn’t Cotto the opponent,” Alvarez told MaxBoxing’s Gabriel Montoya recently. “It was the atmosphere. It was the thoughts in my head. I couldn’t adjust. The fights are coming one by one and I am still learning. But basically it wasn’t Cotto. It was the people, the fans.”

Alvarez followed up that performance with a sixth round stoppage over Lucian Cuello in Guadalajara in which he dropped his Argentinean foe early before polishing him off halfway through the contest. Alvarez is definitely on the fast track and it’s easy to forget how much more room he has to grow in the sport.

“I believe sometimes people forget I am 20,” he continued. “I just turned 20. Sometimes they are eager with better opposition and stuff like that. But I don’t take it personally. I am learning, learning, learning; putting it together piece by piece.”

Alvarez’ next step is a September 18th scuffle with rugged former champion Carlos Baldomir at the Staples Center in Los Angeles underneath the Shane Mosley-Sergio Mora bout. Heading into the contest Baldomir has talked much trash, claiming he will score a knockout before the 10th, but the mild-mannered Alvarez has refused to return the verbal warfare and instead seems to be focusing on himself.

“I am working and working each fight. You have to have a strong mind. You have to be capable of taking things how they come. My development has been very good. I’ve been learning from my last fights. I am going day by day. I’m taking it each fight at a time but I’m learning. I’m still learning.”

For a closer look at Saul Alvarez please click HERE or check out the slideshow in this article...

Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com