Despite some strong rumors, it looks like boxing fans will take it on the chin, as Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions tells Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated that even though the fight has been considered, a Canelo Alvarez vs Austin Trout bout likely won't happen.

With that noted, attention will now turn to what Canelo (41-0-1, 30 KO) is likely to do instead. Trout (26-0, 14 KO) without question deserves the bout, and with all due respect to Alvarez, until someone says he was BSing about wanting him, he should be given credit for saying he wanted the fight. As it stands right now, this is a promotional move -- and it's protection of a fighter, plain and simple.

So who else is there?

Miguel Cotto

I would bet that this is exactly what Schafer still desperately wants to make happen. For one thing, Cotto (37-4, 30 KO) looks a very safe opponent for Alvarez at this point. Sure, Canelo isn't Trout, a slick, taller southpaw, but he's a bigger man than Cotto, he's young, and he hits hard. Cotto, 32, is still a quality fighter (or at least, he should be considered one until something worse than losing to Trout happens), and on paper going in, he would be the "best opponent" of Canelo's career, but we've seen enough with the faded veterans serving as Canelo's babystep "best opponent." I have nothing in the world but respect for Miguel Cotto, but this is a bad fight right now.

Alfredo Angulo

Angulo, 30, has a limited upside, and Golden Boy is probably harshly aware of that. You wouldn't really say he struggled against Jorge Silva, but the young, smaller opponent probably gave a lot more challenge to "El Perro" than a fan would like to have seen. Angulo is so slow and hittable, but on the positive side, he's got a respected name and fans like to watch him fight, and with good reason. Personally, I'd expect Canelo to tear him apart, but Angulo's not the worst option.

Marcos Maidana

This stupid idea has been floated before. Yeah, Maidana's coming off a win over Jesus Soto Karass, but recall that before that at welterweight, he was totally overwhelmed by Devon Alexander. Maidana is a decent welterweight, but he's naturally a 140 guy, like Josesito Lopez. He's no challenge to Canelo Alvarez at 154.

James Kirkland

Kirkland, as far as I know, is still busy throwing his career down the toilet.

Nobuhiro Ishida

Remember that time he beat Kirkland?