Wednesday 22 April 2015 21:13, UK
Saul Alvarez insists he will not let talk of a potential fight with Miguel Cotto distract him from securing victory in his upcoming clash with James Kirkland.
Having successfully bounced back from his one, and only, career defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr, 'El Canelo' takes on Kirkland at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas on May 9.
Victories over Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara have put Alvarez (44-1-1) back on track, leading to calls for a bout with current WBC middleweight champion Cotto.
The Mexican brawler, however, remains unmoved by such talk, insisting his attention is solely on the tricky American southpaw.
"At this time, my only focus right now is James Kirkland. There have been talks of my next fight but right now my focus is on James Kirkland, there is nothing else," Alvarez said.
"I am working hard, training hard, taking the tough fights, the biggest fights. And only time will tell and the people will tell. In the meantime, I will just be doing my job."
He added: "Kirkland is a very dangerous because his punch is very powerful, very extreme. His punches come from all angles. But, mostly his power, he can beat a fighter with one punch.
"My goal is to fight the best in the world and the fans get what they want. Independent of the styles, I want to fight the best. We are preparing knowing what we have in front of us.
"People are talking and the majority believe that the fight will end in a knock out, that it won't go the distance. But, I am ready to go 12-hard rounds."
Despite not being the favourite to come out on top in the clash, a fired-up Kirkland (32-1) says he is ready to go all out to claim victory over the former WBC and WBA light-middleweight champion.
"I definitely feel like I have the power, will, confidence, speed, heart, and determination to beat Canelo," he said.
"I feel I have the whole package. After my last fight, I have been putting myself in a position with my training so that on May 9, I can let it all show.
"This is one opportunity I have been wanting. This is a must do and a fight that fans want to see. I am prepared to make big things happen and believe this is my opportunity.
"This opportunity is going to bring the next best thing to my career."
