Canelo Alvarez's Uphill Climb: Will a Mexican Fighter Be America's Boxing King?

Oscar De La Hoya was teetering, his long reign as boxing's biggest star in serious jeopardy as he stepped into the ring against Floyd Mayweather Jr., a brash fighter in the beginning stages of reinventing how boxing is promoted in America. That was 2007—nine years ago. Ancient times in today's 24-hour cycle of disposable celebrity. Mayweather, of course, toppled the king, taking on his duties and ceremonial role as the sport's leading man, before finally stepping down last year. In his place t...