By Brian Campbell
ESPN.com
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There is something commendable about the fact that the greatest advocate for Canelo Alvarez shaking the dreaded label of having been a protected fighter is the junior middleweight titlist himself.

As the tale goes, it was the Mexican sensation who went above the desires and fears of his promoter to demand that his opponent Saturday, in his first legitimate test to date, be fellow unbeaten titlist Austin Trout.

And let's face it: Alvarez clearly has walked a soft path to the outskirts of pound-for-pound consideration, not having been tested by a quality fighter in his prime, let alone one as slick and difficult as the southpaw Trout.

Alvarez has feasted exclusively on a diet of older and smaller opponents during his two-year title run. Any admonition to withhold criticism based on the fact Canelo is just 22 can be met with a reminder that he has been a professional for more than seven years and already has more pro fights than Sugar Ray Leonard put in over his entire career.

That's what makes Saturday's bout the ultimate risk/reward opportunity for Canelo and a chance at instant validation (or exposure). Although this isn't necessarily a trap fight -- Alvarez might be a slight betting favorite, but most experts have labeled it a pick 'em fight -- it's still one the Cinnamon Kid will have considerable trouble winning.

Trout is simply too crafty and polished for the straight-ahead and aggressive Alvarez, who carries the kind of power that grinds down his opponents over multiple rounds but doesn't often end a fight with one punch.

Let's be clear about something: Trout isn't just a difficult opponent based on Alvarez's age or inexperience. In fact, it's Canelo, who turned pro a month after Trout in 2005, who has already been in more title fights than his 27-year-old opponent. Trout is the type of fighter whose contrasting style seemingly would always give Alvarez trouble.

Trout's strengths as a cunning boxer who uses a combination of footwork, awkwardness and tremendous accuracy had been on display to relatively small audiences since he defeated Canelo's older brother, Rigoberto Alvarez, for a 154-pound title just over two years ago. Trout was the definition of an under-the-radar fighter who lacked a fan base or exciting style as he climbed the ladder by paying dues at faraway venues in Mexico, Canada and Panama.

All that changed when Trout was given a somewhat surprising chance to record the signature victory his career had lacked in an upset of Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden in December. The New Mexico native was so much more than simply the difficult out he was advertised to be. Trout proved a durable, tough and deceptively strong junior middleweight who stood his ground and fought back in exciting fashion, coming alive in the championship rounds to stamp his stunning victory.

Alvarez will surely prove to be a tougher challenge than the smaller, faded Cotto come Saturday. And there are still enough questions about Canelo's ceiling for it to be possible that he'll find an escape for every trap Trout is likely to set.

But in the end, it's that combination of size, speed and ring IQ that makes it difficult to doubt the savvy Trout will continue his run to the top with another convincing decision victory in front of a hostile enemy crowd.