Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya confirmed in a boxing news 2014 update that Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will face Joshua Clottey in his next fight on December 6 in Houston.
Clottey's name has floated over the past several weeks, but other fighters are reportedly in the mix too before De La Hoya confirmed that his prized fighter has decided to face the former champion.
"Oscar De La Hoya, at a media roundtable at HBO, confirms that it will be Canelo Alvarez-Josh Clottey in December," Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated posted on his Twitter account.
De La Hoya recently said that they are strongly considering Clottey because they believe that the 36-year-old is a durable foe for Alvarez, who is looking for a tough tune-up fight before engaging in super bouts next year.
"Clottey is an option, he's coming off a big win over Anthony Mundine, where he knocked him down five or six times. It was a great victory. He looked good, strong. He went the distance with Pacquiao, Margarito, and had a close fight with Cotto. Clottey is strong and he'll be right in front of you," De La Hoya said in a boxing news 2014 on Sunday.
After facing Clottey in December, Alvarez is expected to pursue a showdown against reigning World Boxing Council middleweight champion Miguel Cotto next year.
However, De La Hoya said that the Alvarez-Cotto fight is not yet set in stone as they are also considering several fighters for Canelo's first fight next year, including Manny Pacquiao and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
De La Hoya said that a showdown with Chavez would be very big because both fighters are well-loved in Mexico. Weight disparity could be a problem, but De La Hoya said that Chavez Jr. appears to be willing to fight at 160 or 162 pounds.
"Canelo wants to face the best. All three are great possibilities - Cotto, Pacquiao and Chavez Jr.," De La Hoya was quoted as saying in a boxing news 2014 on BoxingScene. "But I think a fight with Julio Cesar is very probable right now at 160 or 162 pounds. I have heard that he's willing to get down there, and if that's the case then there is a way to make it."
