“Whoever Lands the First Punch Is Going to Win”: Oscar De La Hoya Predicts Canelo Alvarez’s Fate in Key Bout

Canelo Alvarez is finally returning to the ring. The undisputed Super Middleweight champion and one of boxing’s biggest draws will defend his titles against WBO Interim Super Middleweight title holder John Ryder on May 6 in Guadalajara, Mexico. After last October’s title defense against Gennady Golovkin, Alvarez had to undergo surgery on his left wrist. Ryder’s name surprised many, given some of the big names he fought over the years. Reasonably, most fans expected a rematch with Dmitry Bivol or a divisional clash with David Benavidez. Among those who have dissed the undisputed Mexican champion’s move is former six-division champion Oscar De La Hoya.

So early today, when FightHype reached out to him, the De La Hoya not only revealed a preferred line-up but also shared the chinks in his former protege’s armor.

Oscar De La Hoya sets up his preferred fight lineup for Canelo

The former champion’s Oscar De La Hoya Foundation handed over brand new boxing kits worth $25k to five gyms in South California. While at Duarte Boxing Gym in Duarte, Frankie Martinez from FightHype caught up with “The Golden Boy.”

Read More: Oscar De La Hoya Brands Canelo Alvarez vs Dmitry Bivol Fight As “The Stupidest Move”

So according to De la Hoya, he would love to see David Benavidez lined up against Canelo. “I would make Benavides-Canelo next, um, because Styles make fights…”

Then he quickly added that “The Mexican Monster” and Alvarez would get into it, and whoever connects first would probably come out on top.

“Benavides will clash with him, and who knows? I mean, whoever lands the first punch is going to win. But it’s those types of fights that build your legacy. It’s those types of fights that people say you know what? I respect you.” he said.

Later Martinez asked, “What would be your game plan if you were still promoting Canelo for his very last few years like you said, very important for him?”

And De La Hoya replied, “Just fight the best fight the best. Avenge the…Avenge the loss with with Bivol.”

When the interviewer asked whether Canelo could defeat Bivol, “The Golden Boy” said it was not impossible. However, it will still be a humongous task for the Mexican champion because of the Russian Light Heavyweight’sstyle of fighting.

“Bivol has a style that is not good for Canelo. Bivol is light on his feet, Canelo is very heavy on his feet. That could cause a lot of problems for him [Canelo] in the future,” De La Hoya said.

Canelo debuted professionally in 2005 and joined De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in 2010. For the next decade, he fought under their banner. However, professional relationship between Canelo and Oscar De La Hoya began to sour which eventually lead to a breach of contract lawsuit between the former and Golden Boy Promotions. It was settled on November 6, 2020, and he secured a release from the contract. On January 21, 2021, Matchroom Sports announced that Alvarez had agreed to a two-fight deal with the promotions.

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What is your take on De La Hoya’s statements? Do you agree with him? Please don’t forget to share your views and opinions with us in the comments below.