Boxing News 2015: Canelo Alvarez Knocks Out James Kirkland, Mexican Superstar Eyeing Miguel Cotto [Watch Highlights]

Created by Paul John Rivera May 10 2015, 13:41 PM EDT

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez moved one step closer to becoming a world champion again after scoring an impressive victory against James Kirkland on Saturday night.

Cheered by the majority of the 31,588 fans inside the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Alvarez proved he deserves another title shot after knocking Kirkland out in the third round of their bout.

Kirkland, who fought for the first time since winning against Glen Tapia in December 2013, had a strong start in the match, but Kirkland proved he can take his opponent's punches and launched his own attack as well.

Alvarez floored Kirkland in the opening round and the Mexican boxing superstar said he knew he would win after the knock down. In the third round, the 24-year-old former world champion ended the match with a brutal knockout.

"I knew that James is a strong fighter, but he did surprise me with his aggressiveness in the first and second rounds," Alvarez said after the fight via ESPN. "But once I dropped him the first time, I knew I had him."

Kirkland, who dropped his record to 32 wins and two defeats, admitted after the bout that he was not aware he was knocked out when he came into his senses again. Despite the loss, the 31-year-old said that he is proud of his performance against Alvarez because he knew fight fans enjoyed their action-packed bout.

"I didn't know I was knocked out," Kirkland said via Bad Left Hook. "I had him trapped and hurt in the corner in the first round but he escaped, I had him hurt in the second also. He's a great champion, I'm proud that I was able to compete in such a terrific event, and I hope to fight him again someday. I'm a warrior, I'll be back."

Meanwhile, Alvarez put himself in a good position to land a title shot against Miguel Cotto, who is the reigning World Boxing Council middleweight champion.

Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya said that they have already talked to Cotto and Roc Nation about a possible fight later this year. But before starting the formal negotiation, Cotto needs to win against Daniel Geale in their title fight on June 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Alvarez also has several options for his next fight, but he reiterated that Cotto is still on top of his list.

"I will continue to fight the best fighters," Alvarez said BoxingScene. "That is what I do. I fight for myself and for the fans. I'm not afraid of any fighter. He is a champion and the kind of fighter I want to fight."