Canelo
Álvarez aims to expand his legacy tonight when he raises two weight divisions
to face Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev, champion of the light heavyweight
category of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) in Las Vegas.
The
29-year-old Mexican, king of the middleweight (52-1-2, 35 KOs), is considered a
favorite in bets for his speed and youth, compared to Kovalev's experience and
power.
Álvarez
will fight for the first time since a unanimous decision on Daniel Jacobs in
May, while Kovalev successfully defended his belt with a knockout in the
eleventh round of British Anthony Yarde in August in Russia.
Although
Alvarez has boxed in multiple divisions, he had never before exceeded the super
middleweight limit, where last year he subjected the British Rocky Fielding in
less than three rounds.
Complicated rival
Kovalev
(34-3-1, 29 KOs) seems like a much more complicated opponent. Even considering
that the 36-year-old veteran has shown clear signs of aging in some of his
recent outings, the Russian remains a threat.
“He is
the best in his division, he is one of the best. That's why we chose it: to
make history fighting one of the best”, Alvarez said this week. “I feel
comfortable, I feel good, we will see how everything goes on Saturday. I trust
my resistance, my strength”.
Although
Alvarez has already demonstrated his ability to absorb shock, especially in his
two fights with Kazakh Gennady Golovkin, Kovalev's power could cause him
problems.
To resurrect
The
Russian, meanwhile, considers the confrontation an opportunity to resurrect his
boxing career.
The
nickname Crusher lost his belts from the World Boxing Association (WBA), the
International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the WBO in consecutive losses to
Andre Ward in 2016 and 2017, but regained part of the title by beating
Colombia's Eleider Alvarez in A rematch in February.
"I
am happy", said Kovalev. “It's good that this is the most important
fight of my career, and to face Canelo. It is a great test for me: to prove, once again, I am the best light
heavyweight in the division”.
Kovalev
expects Alvarez to adopt an aggressive tactical approach, and plans to fight
fire with fire. "This fight is going to be very interesting and very
difficult for both of us because we never step back, we never give up", he
said.
“My goal
is to break your strategy. We are two great champions, and now we
respect each other in and out of the ring. We will make a great fight at 100%”.
However,
even if Kovalev manages to win against Alvarez's prognosis, his joy could last
shortly. On November 25 he must be tried in the Superior Court of San
Bernardino of California for assaulting a woman last year.
For Saúl
“Canelo” Álvarez, the weighing must be a process in the full extent of the
word, before confronting Sergey Kovalev for the semi-complete World Boxing
Organization championship.
"Canelo" will fight for the first time
at 175 pounds, after the top category he had boxed was 165 pounds.
SOURCE: Lider en Deportes
