Canelo Alvarez Will Impress in First Big Test vs. Austin Trout

Canelo Alvarez is undefeated through 42 career fights, but his detractors point out that he hasn't beaten anybody particularly notable.

That sentiment will change if the 22-year-old can defeat WBA light middleweight champion Austin Trout on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Trout (26-0) is coming off a victory against Miguel Cotto in December—the same Miguel Cotto who stood toe to toe with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2012. He's 27 years old now, but the southpaw looks as good as he ever has. His style isn't predicated on planting anyone on the canvas (he's scored 14 KOs in his career), but that doesn't mean he isn't dangerous, as he proved against Cotto. He simply out-boxed Cotto, making the historic Mexican look sluggish, and it opened the eyes of the boxing world.

Still, this is Canelo Alvarez we're talking about. There's a reason why he's being tabbed as the future of boxing. Alvarez (41-0-1) has notched 30 knockouts in his career, exemplifying his undeniable power. He's scored a KO in four of his last five fights.

Austin Trout pulled off a stunner against Miguel Cotto, but he won't have the same success against Canelo Alvarez.Elsa/Getty Images

And Alvarez's power will be the biggest factor in the fight. If Trout can hang around until the scorecards, you never know what can happen. If Alvarez begins connecting, it could be over quickly.

Trout's style of boxing, combined with the fact that he's a lefty, could make things a bit more difficult for Canelo. That's one of the reasons why some are calling for what would be a monumental upset.

But Alvarez showed against Shane Mosley in May 2012 that he can not only overpower foes, but outbox them as well. Everything about his matchup with Mosley screamed that he would simply go right at the veteran, but Alvarez displayed a wrinkle in his game when he boxed up on his toes. Even if Trout avoids Alvarez's onslaught on Saturday, Alvarez still has the skills to outbox the 27-year-old.

Austin Trout is a worthy opponent for Alvarez, but he simply doesn't have the overall game—or power—to stand up to a fighter who is taking the boxing world by storm. In the end, Canelo Alvarez will go on to win en route to hopefully facing Mayweather.