Canelo Álvarez Fully Supports Oscar De La Hoya, Open To Showdown Against Manny Pacquiao

Though he remains focused on the upcoming July 12 showdown with Erislandy Lara, Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez is showing full support for Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya as the former boxing champion continues his fight with drug abuse. De La Hoya's agency has been interested in setting up a showdown between Canelo and Top Rank Boxing client Manny Pacquiao for some time and even though De La Hoya and Top Rank boss Bob Arum have not always seen eye-to-eye -- especially in recent time -- Álvarez says he'll head any direction De La Hoya suggests because he has complete faith in his guidance. For now though, Canelo is solely focused on Erislandy Lara.

“If Oscar thinks it's good and the best thing for me and my career, then I'm with Oscar 100 percent,” Álvarez told the Los Angeles Times recently. “The only reason I came to this company is Oscar. Right now though, the only thing on my mind is the upcoming fight against Erislandy Lara. There have been many rumors about me fighting Manny Pacquiao but right now, I'm only concerned with my next fight. Without any doubt I'm going to win my next fight and the fans are going to enjoy the fight.”

Excited about Canelo Alvarez's upcoming bout with Lara and beyond, Oscar De La Hoya -- who won 10 world titles in six different weight classes during his remarkable career -- notes that anything is possible when it concerns the future of his star client. Fully aware that his relationship with Bob Arum has soured in recent time -- with the boxing world coming to know the “feud” as the "Cold War" -- De La Hoya holds firm belief that positive things will come after discussing the possible match-up with Arum.

“Anything’s possible,” he said of a Pacquiao vs. Canelo showdown. “That’s one of the reasons I was extending the olive branch. The fans want to see these kinds of fights. I was dealing with personal issues, but I’m back. Golden Boy is my baby. Boxing is my passion, boxing is my life. I have nothing against Bob and I feel making fights with Bob is beneficial to the fans and the market. Bob, what he did for my career was amazing and I appreciate it, am so grateful. I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t extend an olive branch, end the cold war and make fights together. I will be making calls in the near future and we’ll make an event together very soon.”