By Steve Kim

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez had hoped to fight on Cinco De Mayo weekend this year (which falls on May 2nd) but with the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather being consummated for that day at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - he and Golden Boy Promotions really had no choice but to move off that date.

Sources tell BoxingScene.com that Alvarez will now face James Kirkland on May 9th in Houston, Texas and that the home of the Houston Astros - Minute Maid Park - will be the host venue. When Alvarez was slated to face Joshua Clottey this past December, that fight was scheduled in this facility before the event was scratched as Alvarez pulled out with an ankle injury.

This is Alvarez's first appearance in the Lone Star State since drawing nearly 40,000 fans when he defeated Austin Trout at the Alamodome in San Antonio back on April 20th, 2013. Alvarez-Kirkland will be televised by HBO.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.