It was Alvarez's first appearance since a one-sided decision loss to pound-for-pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the same venue last September, an event which cost the youngster his undefeated record and his WBC title belt at 154 pounds—but solidified him as an attraction after the bout generated 2.2 million PPV buys and a gross revenue of $150 million.
Getting back on the winning track was good for both the Alvarez psyche and the "Canelo" marketing machine, which will no doubt return to high gear now that its namesake has moved past the lone in-ring blemish. Showtime boxing executive Stephen Espinoza, in fact, said during fight week that "(Alvarez's) star power continues to grow and he has a long, long career ahead of him."
The next step in the process will be important toward maintaining the momentum, and we took a look at the five most likely candidates to appear opposite the leading man the next time he returns.
Canelo to Fight Next on July 26th, Likely Against Carlos Molina