Alvarez vs Cintron: Golden Boy Defends Fight, Mosley Helps Cintron in Camp

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 9:32 PM EST in Boxing News Analysis

"Look. If you had. One shot. Or one opportunity..." (Photo by Tom Casino/SHOWTIME)

The biggest fight this coming weekend is the WBC junior middleweight title clash from Mexico, airing live in the United States on HBO, between Canelo Alvarez and Puerto Rico's Kermit Cintron.

The fight has been criticized, and rightly so, as another hand-picked fight for Alvarez, this time under the guise of Cintron being the fighter he was supposed to be years ago. Cintron been absent from HBO airwaves since May 2010, when he bizarrely dove out of the ring against Paul Williams, laying motionless on the ground until he was strapped onto a stretcher (at which point he protested the fact that the fight would go to the judges' scorecards on four rounds of action).

Since that time, he's fought just twice. He was signed by Top Rank this year and matched with Carlos Molina on the Rios vs Antillon undercard on July 9. With Showtime televising, Cintron was manhandled by the light-punching Molina. The Cintron-Top Rank relationship didn't last long, but Cintron did return to the ring on August 12, beating Antwone Smith in an uninspiring performance on Friday Night Fights.

The fact is, Golden Boy, no matter what they say, has signed up Cintron for this fight because they do not feel he's a threat. In his July and August fights, he showed no punching power with catchweights just north of welterweight, but south of junior middle.

Cintron (33-4-1, 28 KO) has stopped just one opponent since 2007, and that was Brazilian third-rater Juliano Ramos. Like Zab Judah, an examination of Cintron's actual record, the cold hard results of his career, reveals a pretty stunning lack of notable wins.

But Golden Boy's Eric Gomez says that this is "the next step" for Alvarez:

"We picked (Cintron) because he’s the next step in Canelo’s development," stated Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions Vice President and matchmaker. "Kermit Cintron is a legitimate top fighter. He deserves to be on this stage."

It would, of course, be interesting to hear Gomez explain how Kermit Cintron is at this point a "legitimate top fighter," or why Cintron deserves to be on this stage, when Golden Boy could have easily called up the guy who nearly shut out Cintron over 10 rounds all of four months ago.

Golden Boy could have made a lot of fights. They chose Cintron because he's not a threat anymore, or at least, they believe he's not a threat. And as I've said before, that's fine -- Canelo is 21 years old. He fights much better opposition than most 21-year-olds do, including Cintron and Matt Hatton and Alfonso Gomez and the ragged remains of Carlos Baldomir.

"He's the next step" would be acceptable. But as always, promoterspeak oversteps reality a moment later. Cintron is truly, truly no longer a top fighter.

As for Cintron himself, he's been working with "Splenda" Shane Mosley in camp:

"Mosley spent a few days with Kermit and really helped him work on speed. When those two guys sparred, it was a war. Cintron looks great. He looked like the same fighter who blew away Walter Matthysse [in July 2007]," (an) insider said.

Three questions:

What's so great about blowing away Walter Matthysse? What'd he ever do? It was a great knockout, but so are a lot of knockouts.
Is it good or bad to have "a war" in sparring with Mosley at this point?
Anyone still guessing Canelo vs Mosley happens in 2012?

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

People get critical of Top Rank signing Mosley for one fight, and Golden Boy proves they will do the same thing with Cintron. All promoters do this.

Mosley sparring with CIntron? Is he running back to Golden Boy now?

by Kory Kitchen on Nov 21, 2011 9:40 PM EST reply actions

I think Mosley still can give canelo some problems. Canelo isnt Pacquiao or Maywheater.

by Bichorudo on Nov 21, 2011 9:43 PM EST reply actions

I think Mosley is totally shot, but I hope I’m wrong. Probably the best thing about Mosley as an opponent for a young fighter is that he is durable enough to give you 12 rounds and he is a big name on a record. Fight would also be at junior middle I would assume which would help Canelo.

by Kory Kitchen on Nov 21, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

there was a fight in the middle where Shane Mosley could barely land a punch on Sergio Mora and was huffing and puffing around the ring by the 8th round. It would be all good to say, “Well, Mora is tough to fight,” except Mora lost his next fight to Brian Vera.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 10:41 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t mean to disrespect, but that was a pretty low dig at Mosley. Sure he isn’t what he used to be, but he was a great fighter. How many pple would have handled Cotto the way he did around their mid 30’s and that far past his prime? I’d like to go back to quote from Bert Sugar (no pun intended) in an issue of the Ring Magazine in which he said that he’d like to remember fighters in their prime, and ignore everything that happened before or after. Is Tito Trinidad a disgrace because he lost to Roy Jones at Light Heavyweight and under performed or that he lost to Winky Wright while he was still relatively young? Just my opinion. Holler!

"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."

by cylee1180 on Nov 21, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions

What was the “low dig”? Implying that Mosley is old?

by Kory Kitchen on Nov 21, 2011 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

Referring to him as “Splenda” seemed a little unnecessary as well.

by tkeithwhite on Nov 21, 2011 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

He’s been called worse.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

And I’d have called the Ray Leonard of 1991 and 1997 “Sweet n’ Low” Ray Leonard if I’d been older than 9 and 15 then too.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 10:27 PM EST up reply actions

re-watch his fight with Pacquiao and tell me “Splenda” is the worst thing you could call him these days. Dude needs to retire, period.

by Sammlung on Nov 21, 2011 10:22 PM EST up reply actions

When did I call Mosley a disgrace? I said he’s an old fighter and not very good anymore. He is. And he isn’t. Where is the painful outcry when we say the same things about Roy Jones?

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

because Roy likes it when you tell him he’s finished. Just gives him more motivation to continue the greatest comeback in boxing history!

by Sammlung on Nov 21, 2011 10:23 PM EST up reply actions

Y'all musta forgot!

"The person who takes a dump on you isn't always your enemy, and the person who takes you out of the dump isn't always your friend."

by Dino756 on Nov 21, 2011 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

Sadly, this may actually be a valid criticism of anyone who thinks Canelo Alvarez vs Shane Mosley in 2012 is a good idea. You all must have forgot.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

I’m as bothered by it as I am Alvarez fighting Cintron, which is to say I’m not. These young up and comers need to keep putting names on their resumes to build up bigger fights. The cycle of life in boxing is that aging contenders and champions turn into trial horses for the next generation. Unfortunately we’ve got a lot of guys that are promotionally out on islands (in the case of Anthony Mundine, literally on one too) where fights among top fighters don’t get made because there isn’t enough money or interest. The one proven method to get people to care about fighters and create money fights is to have aging legends go out on their shield.

Besides, Saul Alvarez has already fought the likes of Jose Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir, and Lovemore N’Dou. Its not like fighting guys who are past their prime or above their best weight isn’t something he’s done plenty of. Its only worked to make him a minor star. Hell, call Tito Trinidad up and see if he needs money. Just being honest.

by VirtualBalboa on Nov 22, 2011 8:50 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t think Tito needs money though. He just forgave Don King a 500,000 debt from the Roy Jones fight as a birthday present to King.

Bob Arum would promote Lucifer himself if he could put asses in the seats.

by Apprentice on Nov 22, 2011 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

I know what you meant though, just offering that little tid bit of info.

Bob Arum would promote Lucifer himself if he could put asses in the seats.

by Apprentice on Nov 22, 2011 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

There’s a difference of scale here that we’re talking about. Mosley pretty much destroyed Margarito and did so in somewhat recent memory. Roy Jones Jr. hasn’t beaten anyone even impersonating an elite fighter at any weight in 8 years and got KOed multiple times. I think a fighter such as Mosley is a perfectly reasonable contest for Alvarez given his age, lack of an amateur career, and the general lack of name opposition at the weight class. Maybe he beats the hell out of Mosley, but if he does, that puts him in pretty good company.

by VirtualBalboa on Nov 21, 2011 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

If there was a scale, and it was 1-10, and it measured just how shot a fighter is, Shane Mosley is a 9 and Roy Jones is a 12. BFD.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 11:24 PM EST up reply actions

Oh c’mon. The guy has gotten dominated by the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Like that’s a crime. Him getting a draw with Sergio Mora is hardly the greatest embarrassment in history given that he was an older blown up lightweight fighting a mediocre but still plenty big middleweight (and being also a fight a lot of observers seem to think he should have won, like the entire HBO crew).

by VirtualBalboa on Nov 22, 2011 8:29 AM EST up reply actions

I thought he won, too, but the entire fight was an embarrassment and both looked horrible. Mosley can’t pull the trigger anymore. Do you want to see De La Hoya, too? I pay money for an HBO subscription entirely because of boxing. It’s not to watch Boardwalk Empire and its hats or their ever-dwindling movie library (oh shit, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is on for the 50,000th time!). I want the best matchups. I don’t have any desire to Shane Mosley go twitch at Canelo Alvarez and consider punching him for however many rounds, nor to watch him run around the ring as he did against Pacquiao.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 22, 2011 9:13 AM EST up reply actions

If they just made Cotto/Alvarez or Paul Williams/Alvarez I’d be fine with that too. More than fine, probably (even though one of those is a guaranteed PPV). Aside from those couple of fights, honestly I’m not any more hyped about some of the fly by night contenders in the 154lb class like Molina or Kirkland getting a fight with Alvarez ahead of a big name legend a la De La Hoya, Trinidad, or Mosley. Maybe its just me wanting to see a reaction validating the hype to his ability stateside. Maybe I’m not self aware enough to answer that question right now. And honestly, a big De La Hoya (ie one who hasn’t washed himself down to 147) who hasn’t taken many beatings might put up a really good fight with Canelo. I can’t tell you I wouldn’t watch that.

by VirtualBalboa on Nov 22, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

Aside from those couple of fights, honestly I’m not any more hyped about some of the fly by night contenders in the 154lb class like Molina or Kirkland getting a fight with Alvarez ahead of a big name legend a la De La Hoya, Trinidad, or Mosley. Maybe its just me wanting to see a reaction validating the hype to his ability stateside

Carlos Molina deserved a win over Lara, who deserved a win over Williams, and then kicked Kermit Cintron’s ass. He didn’t nip by him — he kicked Kermit Cintron’s ass so bad Top Rank decided to cut him loose.

What on earth would beating one of those ragged old men prove? That he can beat ragged old men? I’m no more interested in seeing him fight Mosley, retired Oscar, or Tito Trinidad than I am seeing if he can beat Baldomir again. Former welterweight champ! I don’t need to watch the past beaten into oblivion by the present or the future.

As for Ishida, at least he might be able to throw a punch when he wants to.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 22, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

I’m not arguing that Molina hasn’t performed admirably. I just don’t see him as being a bigger or more interesting fight to me or the general than the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, or Trinidad. Even if I think Molina is very likely a better fighter than Oscar De La Hoya of present given the complete lack of action from Oscar in a few years, that fight is a big time PPV level contest and one that probably sells out the MGM Grand or MSG. Molina sells some tickets in SoCal that would be sold no matter who Alvarez fights. And if Alvarez beats Molina, he’s no bigger a star than before. I’d prefer he be a bigger star and have more money and interest behind him to make bigger fights. YMMV.

by VirtualBalboa on Nov 22, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Let’s at least find some common ground. Would you be happy with HBO booking Alvarez/Nobuhiro Ishida?

by VirtualBalboa on Nov 22, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Mosley is done, fork stickable.

But my respect for his former self. as in the song, remains.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Nov 22, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

Cintron is not the legitimate fighter that promoter is making him out to be, but he’s definitely a step in the right direction.
People were donwplaying him before the Angulo fight and he performed beautifully.

Something about Canelo’s style makes him seem unimpressive to me and I think he can be picked off.

by cyke on Nov 21, 2011 9:58 PM EST reply actions

I like him. In a lot of ways he sort of reminds me of a big Cotto. But he seems like he might be a little lazy.

by tkeithwhite on Nov 21, 2011 10:04 PM EST up reply actions

Angulo was sick as a dog that night.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Nov 22, 2011 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

People were donwplaying him before the Angulo fight and he performed beautifully.

I do not think this is the same situation. Nor do I think Angulo is in Canelo’s league.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 10:24 PM EST up reply actions

Is it good or bad to have “a war” in sparring with Mosley at this point?

God no. The only way I’d be impressed at all was if he KOd Mosley in sparring. But even that would just be sad.

by Sammlung on Nov 21, 2011 10:25 PM EST reply actions

as for Canelo

I think it’s become official: He’s no longer Saul Alvarez. He’s Canelo Alvarez, like Winky Wright. Ronald my ass.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 10:27 PM EST reply actions

id prefer any first name to ronald, honestly. winky’s pretty creative too.

by The Twillness on Nov 22, 2011 5:48 AM EST up reply actions

I wish Molina had this fight instead of Cintron..

but I guess that’s the way it works. As it is, this is just another name for Canelo to add to his resume. That’s ok though, he is only 21. He’ll step it up as he gets older, hopefully.

by tylerj19 on Nov 21, 2011 10:38 PM EST reply actions

I guess with CIntron they could also work the Mexico/Puerto Rico angle, especially just ahead of Cotto-Margarito.

by Kory Kitchen on Nov 21, 2011 10:48 PM EST reply actions

There’s nothing really wrong with the fight. IT IS WHAT IT IS! But it’s gonna be easy and they made it because they think the same thing. This “Kermit Cintron is a top fighter” shit is the type of crap they feed to people because they assume they don’t know better. Maybe if one of those vulnerable minds stumbles upon our site looking for info of this fight, they question that. Maybe not! But I’m betting my impression of the fight winds up closer to than what Gomez is shoveling.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 21, 2011 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Sadly, I’m sure many people that will watch the fight don’t even know how crappy Cintron has looked. People will hear “Cintron is a top fighter” then look at his nice record on paper. If the promoter says something ridiculous over and over some people will begin to take it as gospel. If you say a lie enough times, it will eventually becomes truth.

Pro Wrestling analogy (because I used to be hardcore into it): Gene Snitsky was a terrible wrestler that was basically a “jobber” with a million losses. However, he went away for a little while, and was brought back repackaged as a “monster” type. After a few wins they labeled him as a beast and even said he was undefeated. Most people were ignorant to his old history so they just believed the promotion. Same thing happens in boxing.

by Kory Kitchen on Nov 21, 2011 11:47 PM EST up reply actions

If Canelo tries too much of that shoulder roll he's not good at...

Cintron could ruin all the big plans.

That defense is not something you can just pick up in a short amount of time. And it’s not an easy thing to pull off against a taller, relatively careful opponent.

I think this is a dangerous fight for Canelo right now. The kid doesn’t seem to have an identity in there. Not sure if he wants to attack or lay back and counter once in awhile.

Not sold on his whiskers either. He’s pretty robotic.

Cintron deserves every bit of shit that comes his way though. Frankly, no one should believe in him anymore.

But I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if he flirted with the upset in this one. Can he pull it off in Mexico? I doubt it.

It’s Kermit Cintron.

If Canelo-Jr. ever went down, it could look a lot like Margarito-Cotto 1.

by Lee Payton on Nov 21, 2011 11:47 PM EST reply actions

If Cintron looks the way he did against Matthyse he will knock Canelo out. Carlos Molina? He could probably beat Alvarez as well. I hope the ‘old’ Cintron shows up. I don’t want my last memories of him being the Williams fight, the frustrating Molina fight (I was there cheering him on), and the Antwone Smith fight (I had Smith up by a point).

by JasonTryp on Nov 22, 2011 12:06 AM EST up reply actions

I also hope the imagined Cintron of past shows up. Shit, I hope I’m wrong about this entire fight and it’s really good.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 22, 2011 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

I like how Canelo puts together his punches. True, he certainly shouldn't try to be like Mayweather.

That style is a loser for him, and I hope he drops it and focuses on punch rate and conditioning. But I do think he has a hell of a future ahead of him and will both win and lose some big fights.

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Nov 22, 2011 3:15 AM EST reply actions

Oh and Scott's right, Canelo will dominate Cintron.

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Nov 22, 2011 3:17 AM EST up reply actions

That style is a loser for him, and I hope he drops it

Agreed. And if he fucks around with it too long against Cintron, and Cintron is in shape, Kermit could steal some rounds, get on his bike, and make an argument if Canelo isn’t careful.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 22, 2011 5:18 AM EST up reply actions

Do you think Cintron has a snowball’s chance in hell to win it on the scorecards?

"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi

by Waldo Rastel on Nov 22, 2011 5:25 AM EST up reply actions

Doesn’t matter — if he can even form an argument, his career gets a badly-needed shot in the arm, and it just makes Canelo look bad. Winning and losing isn’t everything. People are still wondering when Erislandy Lara can find another fight, no one cares when Paul Williams gets another fight.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 22, 2011 6:20 AM EST up reply actions

i dunno if he should completely drop it. you never know, five years from now it could be an important tool in his box. i mean, long shot maybe, but i think he should at least work on it a bit more, see what he can get out of it.

by The Twillness on Nov 22, 2011 5:50 AM EST up reply actions

It looked like crap against Alfonso Gomez and when he stopped doing it he kicked some ass. It’s not who he is. That defense is not for everyone. Mickey Bey Jr, for instance.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 22, 2011 6:21 AM EST up reply actions

Any one thinks Cotto Vs Alvarez could happen?

Who do you pick in that match up?

by TheBod on Nov 22, 2011 8:08 AM EST reply actions

I doubt it, and it depends on how Cotto looks against Margarito. The Cotto that fought Mayorga would have serious problems with Canelo, IMO, but he says he’s got a renewed energy now. If he does, maybe he can out-think Canelo. But he can’t outslug him. Not big enough.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 22, 2011 8:18 AM EST up reply actions