Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez believes there is likely to be a knockout when he challenges Kazakhstan legend Gennady Golovkin on September 16 for three versions of the world middleweight title in Las Vegas.
Their bout is regarded as boxing’s biggest world title fight since Floyd Mayweather Jr fought Manny Pacquiao in 2014.
Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs), 26, came face-to-face with WBC-IBF-WBA-IBO champion Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) at a press conference in London, the first leg of a global media tour to promote their fight.
Both boxers have a high knockout ratio and Golovkin’s last fight, against American Daniel Jacobs in March, was the first time he had been taken the distance since 2008.
“I have to be careful with everything when facing him because he’s good all around,” said Alvarez.
“There’s a lot of probability there will be knockout, as we can both punch.
“I’m Mexican and he’s trained by a Mexican (Abel Sanchez) and the fans are in for a treat. There’s a high probability there will be a knockout.
“I’m going to have to be smart and elusive to avoid his punches. He’s very powerful if you stand in front of him.”
Golovkin, 35, has made 18 consecutive world middleweight title defences but was given his toughest test yet in his last outing against Jacobs.
The lack of trash-talking between Golovkin and Alvarez will contrast to the build up of the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and UFC star Conor McGregor who clash in the same Las Vegas venue on August 26.
Oscar De La Hoya, Alvarez’s promoter, made a thinly-veiled dig at Mayweather-McGregor.
“Both fighters have the type of action packed style that the fans clamour for and something fans will not see in any other fight this summer,” said De La Hoya.
“You have two fighters here who are stepping up and fighting the very best. I know for a fact that what you have seen from Gennady has been amazing and what you have seen from Canelo has been incredible. But they are going to step up their game and move on to a new level.”