Saul Alvarez vs. Carlos Baldomir Preview

Previews

Shane Mosley faces Sergio Mora this Saturday, September 18, in a light middleweight bout in honor of the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day. The bout headlines an HBO pay-per-view event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. In the coming days, Inside Fights will preview the four fights being featured on the pay-per-view telecast. Next up, Saul Alvarez and Carlos Baldomir in a light middleweight bout.

Saul Alvarez vs. Carlos Baldomir
Money Line: Alvarez -1400; Baldomir +650

In Golden Boy’s perfect world, this night will be more about their young prospect Saul Alvarez (33-0-1, 25 KOs) than it will Shane Mosley or Sergio Mora. Alvarez, who turned 20 years old in July, turned pro when he was 15. He has already developed a strong Mexican fan base but now is the time to broaden his appeal. Alvarez fought on the Mayweather-Mosley undercard in May, surviving an early scare from Jose Miguel Cotto and finishing him in the 9th round. A solid physique has allowed the younger Alvarez to keep up with his more experienced peers. Much like when LeBron James entered the NBA as a teenager, Saul Alvarez has a grown man’s body that set him apart from others his age. Historically, Mexican fighters don’t tread far beyond the welterweight division but Saul Alvarez may just turn out to be the exception.

Carlos Baldomir (45-12-6, 14 KOs) made his boxing debut in 1993, when Alvarez was just 2 years old. After years of hard luck and lousy opponents, Baldomir exploded onto the scene in 2006. He outworked Zab Judah to claim the welterweight title in January of ’06 and went on to stop Arturo Gatti later that Summer. His huge year culminated in a pay-per-view main event showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Baldomir would prove to have no answer for the speed and skill of Floyd, but his name was known throughout the boxing world. Baldomir, now 39 years old, has only fought four times in the four years since the Mayweather fight. Baldomir is an easy guy to figure out, but someone that ought to be taken seriously, as Zab Judah learned.

Carlos Baldomir will be easy to find and will come forward all night. As long as Alvarez is taking his training seriously, he should have no problem with the plodding Baldomir. Baldomir has only been stopped once in his career, all the way back in 1994, but Alvarez should find himself heading to the showers early. Alvarez by TKO in the 9th.

Part 1: Victor Ortiz vs. Vivian Harris
Part 2: Daniel Ponce de Leon vs. Antonio Escalante