Saul Alvarez value at 7/4 to KO Austin Trout and that’s “No Doubt”

41-fight unbeaten WBC Light Middleweight Champion of the World Saul Alvarez takes on the WBA title-holder Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout in a unification bout of sorts for the division, but despite their flawless records both fighters still have much to prove.  For Trout that includes both his ability to withstand big punchers and his own KO power – an Alvarez win by stoppage can be backed  at 7/4.

The whiff of a stage-managed ascent the ranks has been following around Saul Alvarez throughout his career as he’s continued to knock out pedestrian opponents by the bucket load. Since reaching “World” level he’s beat down a mixture of former champions on their last legs such as Shane Mosley and Ryan Rhodes and out of their depth contenders such as Matthew Hatton or Josesito Lopez.

His opponent in San Antonio, Austin Trout has had an, if anything, easier route to World Champion status than than Alvarez, with a decision victory over former three-weight title-holder Miguel Cotto, the only eye-catching name on his resume.

One thing that cannot be taken away from Alvarez is his knock out record with 30 of his 41 wins coming by stoppage. Having disposed of so many opponents inside the distance a “Canelo” success by KO, TKO or disqualification looks generously priced at 7/4 with Coral.

Alvarez’s power may have begun to take a less fearful toll since he begun to fight at world level, with three of his last seven foes going the full 12 rounds, but he’s still far more likely to win the fight early than his opponent. All but one of Austin Trout’s last nine fights ended up going to the judges’ scorecards.

Trout wore some big shots from Cotto on his way to victory last time out – thwarting a big pay day matchup between the Puerto Rican and Alvarez in the process – and can clearly take a punch given Cotto had KO’d Ricardo Mayorga and Antonio Margarito in Junior Middleweight world title fights previously.

However with the exception of the arguably past-it Cotto, the only other consistent KO artist Trout has vanquished is Saul Alvarez’s less talented brother Rigoberto back in 2011. Against a younger more hungry opponent with heavy hands such as “El Canelo” he may find his chin coming under far greater scrutiny.