Canelo Alvarez says Sergio Martinez is top option for May 4 return

When Canelo Alvarez publicly said he'd make Golden Boy Promotions secure him a May 4, 2013, fight with Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, or Sergio Martinez, he was applauded. Of course, there's healthy skepticism about it actually getting done, but Canelo isn't backing off, and says that Martinez, the middleweight world champion, is the first choice.

"We had a meeting with people of Golden Boy Promotions and we agreed that our next fight is on May 4. The first option is Maravilla Martinez."

Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KO) and Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO) both win big fights on September 15, with Canelo blowing through Josesito Lopez on Showtime at the MGM Grand, and Sergio dominating and then surviving Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on HBO pay-per-view at the Thomas & Mack Center.

To have the winners square off next would be interesting, to say the least. Sergio, however, is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right knee in mid-November in Spain. Sure, he could be ready by May 4, but it's not a guarantee at 37 that he will be, either.

The good news is that even if Canelo-Sergio couldn't happen, there's still MIguel Cotto, who faces Austin Trout on December 1 and says he wants the Canelo fight, and in the background, there's still Floyd Mayweather.