By James Blears
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 21-years-old, is pledging to block potential escape routes - to prevent Shane Mosley from coasting the rounds in order to survive until the final bell, as the veteran did in last May's twelve round decision loss to Manny Pacquiao.
Canelo (39-0-1, 29KOs) will defend his WBC junior middleweight belt against Mosley on Cinco de Mayo, as part of the HBO pay-per-view undercard to the WBA super welterweight clash between Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr., which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
During a conference call at the World Boxing Council's headquarters in Mexico City, Canelo was questioned on what he would do if Mosley got on his bike, like he did after tasting Pacquiao’s power in the third round.
Canelo, who is nineteen years younger than Shane, said the following: “Obviously I’m going to apply pressure. Pacquiao didn’t close exits. I’m preparing with fighters who are faster than Shane, and I am going to close those exits when we meet. We’re doing a lot of work concerning speed. Shane is fast and he’s an accomplished counter-puncher. We’re working on all of this."
“I’m preparing for the best Shane Mosley. He’s a great fighter. Look what happened to [Antonio] Margarito [knocked out in round nine at the Staples Center LA on January 24th 2009, following the hand wraps controversy]. I’m looking for a Shane Mosley with the frame of mind to come in there and win.”
Canelo considers Shane as his biggest and most dangerous opponent to date, and he’s promising an all-action fight, stressing that he’s motivated and excited. He’s training all of this month on home soil in Guadalajara, but then in the first week of March he’s going to Big Bear in California for two months of altitude training.
Canelo closed: “I’m preparing for a different sort of fight. If the opportunity for a knockout presents itself - I’ll take it. It’s going to be a great fight!”