Oscar De La Hoya told Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports that Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland is definitely happening on May 2nd, televised live on HBO from San Antonio, Texas. That is, unless Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao actually comes together.
The maddening waiting game continues.
De La Hoya had this to say on Canelo vs. Kirkland and Mayweather vs. Pacquiao:
“I want to be very clear and straightforward about that. Canelo is fighting on May 2. Period.
“Now, if the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight happens, that’s the fight we’ll move for, and we have May 9 on hold for that. But that’s it.
“Otherwise, no matter what else may go on on May 2, Canelo will be fighting Kirkland in Texas on that date. You can bank on it.”
Canelo is fighting on May 2. Period. Except for Mayweather-Pacquiao. But otherwise… definitely!
Fight fans have been left in the lurch since the start of the year. The fight between Canelo and Miguel Cotto never got put together. So we get Kirkland, and in fairness, that’s a fun fight.
Although our 154 lbs Championship is vacant, it would not be a championship match. Canelo is ranked #1 and Kirkland is ranked #7, disqualifying the match. According to our ratings policies, a vacant match must be between two contenders with a combined ranking no more than 6; i.e., #1 vs. #5.
Meanwhile, Mayweather and Pacquiao seems once again to be lost for unknown reasons, which means Mayweather might fight Cotto again. Or Amir Khan. Or Pacquiao could fight Khan. Or who knows what. Everybody is supposed to announce their plans “soon” which had been just “days away”, several weeks ago!
Something official would be nice to see.
