Saul Alvarez-Matthew Hatton Will Be For The Vacant WBC 154-Pound Title: Who Will Succeed Pac-Man - “Canelo” Or “Magic?” -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

Golden Boy Promotions wasted no time at all in trying to set up a fight whereby the winner will crown a new WBC 154-pound champion. Just days after Manny Pacquiao made it clear he would not be defending the light-middleweight belt he’d won by hammering Antonio Margarito over 12-rounds, Golden Boy were urging the WBC to sanction the upcoming bout between Saul Alvarez and Matthew Hatton as for the vacated title.

And now, as reported on Fightnews.com, the WBC has complied with the request of Golden Boy - much to the delight of both Alvarez and Hatton, as well as pleasing GB head, Oscar De La Hoya.

At one time, it was assumed the winner of Alvarez-Hatton (set for March 5th in California) would then go on to fight the next available WBC contender at the weight; with Mexican rival to Alvarez Alfredo Angulo looking likely to face “Canelo” providing the 20-year-old got past Hatton. But it appears (according to De La Hoya) visa issues have made things complicated for the vicious-punching “El Perro” and now the winner of the March bout will emerge as the WBC ruler.

“The WBC did the right thing,” Oscar said. “Alvarez is ranked #1 and ‘Perro’ Angulo has some visa issues.”

Alvarez and Hatton are both thrilled to have the title opportunity, naturally.

“I am happy to dispute for the title,” Alvarez said. “I was already motivated but this only adds to it.”

“This is fantastic news,” Hatton said. “Every kid that laces up gloves has a dream to become a world champion. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

Some fans will perhaps choose to look at either Hatton or Alvarez as something of a “paper champion” after March 5th, and it’s true the winner will have to beat much bigger names before being accepted as even one of the best at the weight. But those fights will come in the future For now we ask: who will win the belt Pac-Man vacated - “Canelo” or “Magic?”

The exciting fighter some have said will be “the new Oscar De La Hoya” is a pretty big betting favourite to win next month, and he is a bigger puncher, he is faster, more versatile and he is the younger man. What the solid if unspectacular Hatton has on his side is experience - having been a pro five years longer than his rival and having had eleven more bouts than the Mexican has had. But will this be in any way near enough to see Hatton through to an upset win?

A touch of added experience aside, I cannot think of one advantage Hatton has over Alvarez. Barring an upset some would maybe even call a shocker, I think Alvarez will be crowned the new WBC champ two weeks on Saturday. Hatton figures to stick around for a few good rounds, but I take Alvarez to get the stoppage win late; say the 8th or 9th-round.

Source: eastsideboxing.com