Photos: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy
WBA middleweight and super middleweight world champion and WBC franchise champion Canelo Alvarez (51-1-2, 34 KOs) is making no secret of how he plans to take down WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs) on November 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“A body punch is always necessary in every fight and it’s a key move that I’m obviously going to utilize to my advantage to win this fight,” said Alvarez during a media workout on Wednesday at the House of Boxing in San Diego.
As far as the transition to light heavyweight, Canelo stated, “I feel good! This is the weight I’m usually at during my normal life so it’s natural for me. I’ve been eating well, lifting more weights because I normally don’t lift weights when I’m losing weight.
“I’ve been eating how I normally do, of course staying healthy, but adding more rice, protein and carbohydrates. I’m entering his zone of comfort but we’re ready for this. We have the intelligence and skill to beat Kovalev and win the fight. It’s going to be one of the most important fights for me and my career. This title is very important, to be a four-time world champion in different divisions. This is historic for my career.
“In boxing you have to take risks to make history and it’s a huge risk for my career but we’re ready. We feel that we have the necessary skills to win this fight! I’m going to utilize all my skills in the ring.
“We know what he has and what this challenge represents. We know he has long arms, his jab is really strong, and he knows how to move, but we’ve trained for this. He’s my strongest opponent without a doubt and it’s a huge risk for me but we’re ready.”
Manager Jose “Chepo” Reynoso
“We’re in a very optimistic mindset thanks to all the hard work we’ve done, all the preparation. We have confidence and optimism because we’ve done everything right. In the gym we have a saying, “What’s done well can’t turn out poorly.” This would be a great achievement for Saul to win this fight that very few in the history of boxing have done. For us, for Saul and for the team too since we’ve started together. Everyone needs to understand that we’ve been working together for 15 years and have come this far to now fight for this fourth title, together. We’re optimistic, happy and confident that we can take this fourth title. Canelo is a man of many risks and he always likes to take risks. I admire him for that. He knows the risk he’s taking but the prize for that risk will be huge. We know Kovalev’s style because we’ve seen him for years. We know he is strong and tall, but knowing this we accepted this fight because we know Saul can beat him.”
Head Trainer Eddy Reynoso
“We’re focused. We’ve been training for more than three months and have prepared very well. We haven’t had any setbacks with injuries or illnesses and we’re good. We’ve taken care of ourselves and we prepared well to be able to win this fight. Kovalev is a strong fighter and he has lots of good qualities. He’s made it this far in his career because of that. He has a good punch and has a lot of heart. We’ve seen some errors in his fighting style and we hope to capitalize on those mistakes the day of the fight. It’s very important for us and for Mexican boxing that new figures arise, or new records are being broken. Whether that’s Saul or someone else, I think it’s important for everyone that’s in the world of boxing.”
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This is an easy one to figure out. Ward (second fight) set the blue print up for future boxers to see how vulnerable Kovalev is to the body. Kovalev’s demeanor leading up to this fight has me puzzled and wondering if this match is fixed or he sees the big dollar signs and not a victory. In all his other fights, Kovalev talks smack, acts cocky, and promises KOs left and right. Hmmmm, I don’t see that with this matchup. Kovalev acts way too laid back, unsure of himself, and seems on the downside of things. I could be wrong, but he just does not seem “into this fight”. I do believe that Kovalev was cherry-picked by Oscar since Kovalev is damaged goods from past few fights being in wars, dropped, and battered. Oscar would not have sought out Kovalev if he was a current major force in the division bull-dozing all his opponents like he was in his prime.
I think he wants to maintain the respect level, so when the controversial Decision comes they’ll give him the big money rematch.
With that said, I do think a fix of sorts could be on. A Draw or even a debated Decision definitely sets up a big money rematch.
Very True Scoobs.. cherry picked, yes.. weakest of the champs, maybe. But still enough to KO Canelo….DEFINITELY… every fighter plays mind games before and during the fight. I seriously doubt Kov, being the man he is and only losses that werent avengedcoming from ward, that he would take a dive..he doesnt really need to waste energy on hype and promotion for this fight as it is already selling itself. Jus my thoights.
I have a funny feeling about this fight. Mark my words, it’s going the distance with Kovalev dominating but getting ripped off in the process. I’m just feeling it all over you’ll see…
Canelo and Oscar, two of the richest clowns in all of boxing smh
In boxing will always be the fact to choose a risky opponent at the right moment, doing the opposite is wrong. Pacquiao decided to face Thurman at the right moment, the same did Cazaghe with Jones Jr. and so on. So, why some people are spitting their bitterness bitching about this matchup? Also disrespecting some decent people involved in the making of this fight, like Kathy Duva, Kovalev himself and few others, to the point some ignorants dare to affirm this is a fix fight.
The risk is real, because Kovalev, despite the fact he is not longer the devastating offensive fighter he once was, still very capable, is the bigger man, still possessing a destructive jab and is the bigger puncher in this matchup.
If Canelo were about to face a faded legend smaller than him (like Pacquiao for iinstance), yes, is justifiably the criticisms, but not in this case. What I see wrong is the way Canelo and his people handle a belt in any given division by not defending it agaisnt the best opponent available, especially at 168.
Just another way to justify not cleaning house and ducking the other Mid champions Charlo and Andrade. Kov is old and aint no way as athletic as the guys he should be fighting. You gotta know Boxing to see past the bs
Great, Then hopefully he will take aim at the best guys in the division
In your dreams. Kovalev has been chosen because of the top guys at 168. If Canelo wins, don’t expect him running faster than Usain Bolt or Tyson Gay to sign a contract to face Beterbiev or Bivol.
Canelo would never in a million years fight Callum Smith or David benavidez at 168 so he sure as f*** isn’t facing the killers at 175. He won’t even rematch triple G who beat him twice or Andrade at 160. Canelo and his tranny promoter are both con men and only casuals fall for it.
This fight smells like a rotting dead mule in the town square. I have no faith that it is on-the-level. Therefore, I won’t be watching.
Canelocott this travesty. NO WAY will the HOE let this fight go to Kovalev. If it goes 12, Canela gets an automatic win even if his eyeball is hanging out of his head and his tongue is removed from his mouth.
These two have made boxing the joke of the sports world, and the WBC,WBA have made the WWE appear to be legit. Boxing needs a federal commissioner because all these phony stories are destroying the game. Canelacott this fight send a clear message that the fans are disgusted with all of this cloak and danger KGB business. Why put up with another ROBBERY, we’ve already seen him and the HOE rob GGG twice. Guaranteed they have a way around the roids and PED issue planned.
Totally agree ODLH owns the judges and he never loses
What we all wouldn’t give to see canelo go for the body and get smoked by a krusher combo that puts Alvarez out for the count! Right??? Doubt it happens but it would be nice.
Kovalev is going to knock cinnamon the fk out! Saul only chance is to get inside. That’s it. He will get dominated by the jab and reach and knocked out by the right hand of Kov. Easy fight. The judges all in DLH pocket will amazingly have dirty red ahead on all scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
Bottom line again. Kovalev needs to rock him hard in the first two rounds. Hurt him early and Canelo won’t get into the trenches. Are you reading this? Good. FACTS. Canelo gets a boxing rhythm going its over. The body talk is just a psychological ploy.
Gee, ya think? I really hope this is a cherry pick gone wrong and Kovalev catches Fagnelo with one of his patented straights to the body and Canelo is counted out right there while he tries to regain his wind. It’s not like the Russian can’t hurt the Ginger Mexican to the body either.
Canelo is the most hated on fighter in the world! Short guy is taking in the world! Has a better record than kovalev, ggg and all of the fanboy favorites!
Boxing fans seem to be the biggest bitches in the world. Can we just enjoy the fight? Canelo is going up two weight classes to fight a guy with good boxing ability, and real power. Canelo looks way too small to be in the ring with Kovalev. I wish people would stop saying Kovalev is washed up. He just knocked out a young stud, after beating another tough young stud, who had previously knocked him out in a fight he was winning until he got caught. Even in the fights he lost to Ward, those fights were close. I don’t think this is going to be an easy fight.
What you need to know about this fight :
– like the first GGG fight Oscar and Ginger wouldn’t have taken the fight if Kov was in his prime..
– GGG was runing after Canelo for years before actually the fight was made ; and he was only made because Oscar and Ginger knew GGG was declining..
– Like all the big names on Canelo ‘s record Kov would’nt mean much because he ‘s not more the great Krusher he once was.
– you need to know that by making this move who seems to be dangerous for a CASUAL who dont know much about boxing but not to people like me who are fond of boxing for more than 30 years (I’m 42); Canelo and Oscar are just finding à way to get a cheap belt on a fourth weight class to feed casuals and Mexican fans with shit..
– By making this move they avoid the real danger at 168 that are Smith and Benavidez..
– By making this move they can ad a big name on Canelo ‘s record at low coast..
– Give me one name who is on Canelo’s record a big name who was actually in his prime when they fought ; i will give you one : The one who beat the shit out of him the one and only Floyd Mayweather !
– what you have to know is that i was and still is the greatest Oscar De LaHoya Fan.. but and there is a but not a butt Lol that i hate actually 90 percent of Oscar’s move as a promoter..
– To finish there’s just a thing that the diva Canelo and his dumb promoter forgot it’s that Kov is one of the greatest punchers of his generation and that he can still bang… we Will see
Ginger boy is a smaller faster hitting machine. He will be hard to hit solidly whereas the Krusher is much bigger n slower. Do I need to analyze it further?