Since way back in June of last year, unbeaten southpaw WBA junior middleweight titleholder Austin Trout says he has been “game-planning” to face Mexican WBC counterpart Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

That was the month during which Trout (26-0 14 knockouts) delivered a near shutout performance by unanimously decisioning rugged Delvin Rodriguez over 12 rounds.

The triumph over Rodriguez was supposed to earn Trout a shot at Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 knockouts), who, instead scored three knockdowns on the way to September’s fifth-round knockout over Josesito Lopez.

On Saturday, however, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer informed RingTV.com that Trout’s shot may soon be at hand.

Alvarez-Trout is being targeted for May 4 at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas the Showtime Pay Per View co-feature to a defense by Floyd Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs) of his WBC welterweight crown against Robert Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs), of Gilroy, Calif.

“It’s looking good for Canelo and Trout. We made huge progress today,” said Schaefer. “I’m looking at getting everything signed. We’re looking at getting it finalized maybe by next week.”

The news was music to Trout’s ears

“I’m just waiting for the paperwork, but if they say not until next week, then not until next week,” said Trout, a 27-year-old southpaw from Las Cruce, N.M. “I’ve not gotten the official word, but I’m acting like it. I’m in camp and I’m game-planning for him.”

Trout is coming off December’s unanimous decision victory over four-time, three-division titlewinner Miguel Cotto (37-4, 30 KOs) at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

In vanquishing Cotto, Trout ended the Puerto Rican challenger’s unbeaten run at The Garden at 7-0 with four stoppage wins before a pro-Cotto crowd of 13,096 fans.

Trout’s win also ended Cotto’s overall record in New York at 9-0, including five stoppages.

“I’ve been game-planning for Canelo since the Cotto fight,” said Trout. “Well, actually, since the Delvin Rodriguez fight.”

Trout outlanded Cotto, 238-to-183 in overall punches, 192-to-154 in power blows, and, 46-29, in jabs. Judge Adalaide Byrd scored it for Trout, 119-109, while Steve Weisfeld and Sam Poturaj both had it 117-111. RingTV.com had it for Trout, 116-112.

Until Trout adjusted, however, Cotto was successful landing the left hook, on occasion.

“I think, for his part, that Canelo’s going to try to use the same game plan that Cotto did,” said Trout, adding, “which he is welcome to try.”

Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]