WBC light middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez might be in for a big surprise if the real Kermit Cintron shows up tonight. The Mexican's suspect chin will surely be tested if Kermit Cintron connects with his power shots. Yes, there's a big chance and probability that the well-oiled Canelo express train might get derailed tonight if Cintron will rise to the occasion and be true to his potential. But that is easier said than done because Canelo also packs a wallop in his hands and many observers feel that the 'fragile' Cintron is there for the taking.
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is a product of today's intelligent match-making rather than the old school, rumble-and-tumble world of prizefighting. His Golden Boy handlers have maneuvered to give him fighters that will showcase his skills and magnify his power but will pose no danger to him. These machinations eventually resulted of him being handed the WBC light middleweight belt on a silver platter. But make no mistake about it, despite the savvy match-makings and maneuverings, Canelo has a big fighting heart and has the ability to shoot the lights out of anyone if they make the mistake of standing in front of him in a fight.
But Canelo's heart, his greatest asset, might also be the ticket to his downfall. In his previous fights, he has shown his vulnerability when he gets tagged on the chin, even by fighters not known to possess power in their fists. But this seeming 'defect' is easily compensated by his will to pressure his opponents to submission and the power to knock fighters out with a single punch.
Kermit Cintron was once a promising fighter, but his career took a nosedive after suffering a beating by the hands of Antonio Margarito twice, and considering Margarito's history, a lot of boxing observers alleged that 'plaster of Paris' may have played a factor in Cintron's defeats. Thus, suffice it to say, that after Margarito destroyed Cintron in both of their fights, the Puerto Rican slugger has never been the same again.
Many believed that Cintron's present problem is not about his skill set as a boxer, but more about what's inside his head. If he can only overcome his doubts, shake the cobwebs off his head, and just fight the way he used to fight, then we can expect him to give Alvarez his first defeat tonight, if not a very good competitive fight.
Kermit Cintron is one lucky boxer since despite his listless performances in the ring in his previous fights, his handlers were still able to convince the networks to show his wares on fight TV. But this could also be probably attributed to the belief of some people that he is on the decline -- a shadow of his former self -- and a good stepping-stone for any aspiring boxers eager to put his name on their resume.
The people behind Canelo's career might have thought the same way and pegged Cintron as nothing but a trial-horse, cannon fodder, and a veteran with a good name to embellish the young Mexican's resume.
But this is a fight for all the marbles for Kermit Cintron -- a chance for redemption -- and if the Puerto Rican's head is in the right place for tonight's fight, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is in for a rude awakening. Otherwise, the Canelo express train will just run over Cintron and crush his dreams into oblivion.
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