Memo: Chavez Will Be 182-183 When He Face Canelo in The Ring

By Ryan Burton

MGM Grand, LAS VEGAS - Strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia is very confident that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will upset Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night. The action takes place at the T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas strip and will be distributed by HBO PPV.

Alvarez is known to take breaks in the mid rounds of some of his fights to conserve energy and Heredia feels that could play a big part in the outcome of the fight.

"That is going to be a factor," said Heredia. "I would say from the 9th round to the 12th will determine who is the winner. I am assuming Canelo is coming in great shape too. I know Chavez is."

The fight is being contested at a catchweight of 164.5 pounds. Chavez is coming down 3.5 pounds from his previous fight while Canelo is moving up 10.5 pounds. The strength and conditioning coach said that his fighter is in great shape and believes the catchweight is actually in their favor which is contrary to most insiders' opinions.

"That is an advantage for us. The length and size. (Chavez) is punching really hard. I don't see Canelo putting on many more pounds. Maybe 6 pounds. I'm thinking 166 or 167 for Canelo (is what he will weigh). It will be an advantage for us I think," Heredia explained.

He expects Chavez to weigh about 15 pounds more than Canelo which would be quite a reversal from the weight advantage Canelo usually enjoys in his fights.

"Canelo has fought guys who are equal in weight at the weigh in but don't rehydrate as as he does. Chavez will rehydrate. I expect him to be 182-183 pounds in the ring," Heredia told Boxingscene.com.

Canelo vs. Chavez, Jr. is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with TGB and sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Adriana's Insurance and Interjet. Lemieux vs. Reyes is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management. Matthysse vs. Taylor is a 10-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Boxing and Star Boxing. Diaz, Jr. vs. Avila is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event will take place Saturday, May 6 at T-Mobile Arena and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. and the first fight begins at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT. 

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter