Saul Alvarez is destined to become boxing’s next great superstar.

Mexican superstar and WBC light middleweight titleholder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will defend his belt against interim WBC welterweight champion Josésito López on September 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 21-year-old Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOs), the elite welterweight prospect in the world who outclassed retired three-division titlist “Sugar” Shane Mosley on Cinco de Mayo, has at different times been slated to battle Paul Williams, James Kirkland and Victor Ortiz on Mexican Independence Day weekend.

For various reasons, all three prizefighters are now unavailable to scrap and “Canelo” had been stranded seeking an opponent.

The 27-year-old Lopez (30-4-0-1, 18 KOs) emerged as the most viable candidate after the Mexican-American shattered Ortiz’s jaw to win a brutal bout on June 23 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Alvarez, a budding legend who started boxing professionally at the ludicrous age of 15, possesses destructive power in both of his fists and his punches land with resounding thuds.

Jeff Lyons owns an encyclopedic knowledge of “The Sweet Science” and contends Alvarez will become the next big-name in the sport.

“Alvarez doesn’t fight like most Mexican boxers do,” said Lyons, 32, a resident of South Boston. “He’s very tactical and controlled. He could be a great one.”

Expect Saul Alvarez to batter and bludgeon Josésito López in an utter mismatch that will be mercifully halted within nine rounds this autumn.

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