As he tries to dethrone another boxing champion, Saul ‘Canelo’Alvarez, Boxing’s P4P king returns to action Saturday night.
Canelo will fight Russian Dmitry Bivol, WBA title holder, for the second time at light-heavyweight in his career at T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas.
Alvarez last fought at 175lbs and defeated Sergey Kovalev in the process to annexe the WBO title. To prove that he can still rule at higher weights, he will be a hot favourite Saturday.
Canelo is an absolute man at his peak, but his wealth has not diminished his desire to face new challenges.
Canelo vs Usyk at HEAVYWEIGHT?
A move to 200lbs (Cruiserweight) was discussed before the Bivol fight was made public. This week, talk in Vegas was about a possible fight at HEAVYWEIGHT.
Oleksandr Usyk, the current WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, said that he would be happy to return to his cruiser in order to meet Canelo. What was the Mexican’s reaction? “Let’s do this at 201lbs with the heavyweight title in the line,” said the Mexican.
This kind of talk seems like madness at first. For his incredible victory over Anthony Joshua last September Usyk weighed 221 lbs, while Canelo fought at just 168 for the entire year.
This is not a new idea. In 2003, Roy Jones Jr moved up from super-middleweight to light-heavyweight and then to heavyweight to defeat John Ruiz to become the world champion. But Usyk’s not Ruiz.
All that talk generated was more media attention for a week of fights that didn’t really need it. Canelo, now a true superstar and the master of everything he studies, is a real star.
Guadalajara’s 31-year-old (57-1-1) spent 2021 cleaning up super-middleweight. He now plans to do the exact same at 175lbs. This is not a pushover, despite the fact that Canelo is a 1-5 favorite with Sky Bet.
Alvarez desperate for new challenges
“I enjoy that type of challenge because it makes me want to make history. This kind of challenge makes me feel alive. I admire Dmitry Bivol’s boxing skills, but it’s mine. This is a moment I love and feel at my best.
Alvarez referred to his 2021 epic campaign at super-middleweight but only within the context of what Alvarez will now attempt to accomplish. Canelo, who has fought eight world champions in his last 10 fights, just does not do it on easy nights.
“I beat all the champions at 168 so I’m happy at this weight for now. I must take on another challenge, not only to make history but to challenge myself. It is incredible to be able to reach 175 and win another title.
“I know that he’s going to bring everything and it’s something I like.” Only thing I want is a good fight. A great fight will be a part of boxing’s history books.
Canelo is the main attraction and the A-side at any fight he participates in. He will take home a reported $50 million plus on Saturday night. It’s no surprise that DAZN streaming service is placing all its hopes on him to launch its new PPV platform.
Bivol is confident before his biggest test
Bivol isn’t blinded by boxing’s brightest lights, at least not right now. He has waited for this moment since he was 31 years old.
“I am really grateful that I was given this opportunity. My team has been asking me for years to fight the top light-heavyweight and super-middleweight fighters. Now, I have this fight.
“I believe in myself, it’s been a long journey to get here and now I must do my job. I believe in my victory every time I go to the ring – if I don’t believe, you will never win. “Why not believe in my victory?”
We’ll have all the answers on Saturday night during Cinco de Mayo weekend. A Canelo fight is the most important event that boxing can offer, as always. We just want to see the fight.
