For the better part of the past decade, boxing fans in Mexico - and all over the world - have eagerly awaited the key dates surrounding May 5 and September 15 so they can witness the latest performance of boxing’s biggest star, Canelo Alvarez.
Canelo is the youngest son of a family of fighters hailing from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. It’s a city which breeds fighters. Furthermore, the essence of Mexican boxing culture can be found throughout the state. Last year, Canelo, who spent his early years fighting in local venues throughout Jalisco, sold out the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara with an estimated attendance of 70,000 watching his victory over John Ryder.
As the sun begins to set on Canelo’s Hall of Fame career the question to Mexico, and more intimately, Guadalajara Jalisco, is who is the next star to emerge?
The recently Olympic qualified Marco Verde from Sinaloa might be one possibility.
Similar to Canelo and his band of fighting brothers, the Molina family is poised to make an impact on the sport. Notably, the youngest brother Oswaldo Molina is poised to make his professional debut later this year. Molina, 17, has an undeniable amateur resumé with multiple amateur national titles and under hit belt. With over 200 documented bouts the youngest of three brothers has his sights set on Canelo's footsteps. At 16 he competed in National Olympic Qualifiers and obtained virtually every domestic amateur title available.
Oswaldo “Aldo” Molina has signed a long term management agreement with manager Ryan Rickey ahead of his debut this summer, which will be broadcast by ESPN.
“I'm grateful for my father who has led me to this point,” said Aldo. “I have worked extremely hard and will continue to do so. I understand the importance of a good team and I'm excited about the future. I believe in the relationship of everyone involved. I look forward to doing camps in the USA and learning as much as possible for many years to come and ultimately becoming a world champion”.
“Aldo Molina is set to debut on ESPN+ this summer under the affiliation of Top Rank and their Mexican domestic promotor Miura Boxing. The plan is to get Molina active with a US debut in the pipeline by year's end,” Rickey added.
Though still far too early to label the youngest Molina brother as the new Canelo, Aldo is aiming high and eager to learn. “I look forward to doing camps in the USA and learning as much as possible for many years to come and ultimately becoming a world champion,” he said.
