Canelo Alvarez of Mexico is guaranteeing an explosive and exciting fight when he takes on James Kirkland of the United States. The American knows it’s going to be a tough fight against the Mexican and said that he’s giving everything on the welterweight bout set on May 9 at the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

Both fighters were present at the press conference held on Wednesday along with Oscar De La Hoya, the founder and president of Golden Boy Promotions and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, the chairman and chief executive officer of SMS Promotions. Also present were Mike Battah and Jesse James Leija of Leija Battah Promotions.

"This is the first time that I am anxious to fight here and I am looking forward to fighting [James] Kirkland,” Canelo said in the press conference. “He is coming to fight. He is dangerous and powerful. I am also powerful and aggressive and I can guarantee you, this is going to be an explosive fight.“

"I'm ready to put my life on the line and give it everything I've got,” Kirkland said in the same press conference. “I want to show my fans what I've really come to do.”

The 24 year old Alvarez, who is from Tlajomulco de Zuñiga in Jalisco, Mexico has lost one fight, to Floyd Mayweather in September of 2013, in 46 career bouts and is coming off two convincing victories. Alvarez beat Alfredo Angulo via a 10th round technical knockout in March and Erislandry Lara via split decision in July of 2014.

The 31 year old Kirkland, who is from Austin, Texas, USA has lost also just one bout in 33 career fights. He is coming off a five bout winning streak with recent victories over Glen Tapia via a sixth round technical knockout in December of 2013 and over Carlos Molina via 10th round disqualification in March of 2012.

Both fighters are known for their knockout power. Alvarez has 31 knockouts in his 44 wins and Kirkland has 28 knockouts in 32 wins. De La Hoya said in the press conference that he believes that the Alvarez-Kirkland bout t is going to be the Fight of the Year in 2015.


Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

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