Abel Sanchez: Canelo Can KO Kovalev Between Rounds 7 To 10

Veteran trainer Abel Sánchez is confident in predicting that Mexican superstar Saúl 'Canelo' Alvarez has everything necessary to dethrone Sergey Kovalev on November 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Sanchez, who is nominated for Canastota's International Boxing Hall of Fame, had at one point trained Kovalev in the early days of the Russian boxer's career.

Kovalev left his side and began a long working relationship with trainer John David Jackson. After a few more corner changes, Kovalev is now being trained by former world champion Buddy McGirt.

Sanchez had trained Gennady Golovkin for both of his bouts with Canelo. The first contest ended in a controversial twelve round split draw in 2017, and Canelo won a close twelve round majority decision in the 2018 rematch.

Canelo, who has the WBA title at 160-pounds, will now move up in by two full weight divisions to 175-pounds, to challenge Kovalev for the WBO light heavyweight title.

"I have always thought that Canelo is a special fighter, the work that Eddy Reynoso and Chepo Reynoso have done with him is remarkable," Sanchez said to ESPN Deportes.

"Obviously when I had to face him twice with Golovkin, I had to join the promotion and you say things [to promote the fight], but I think today [Canelo] is the face of boxing."

"Canelo has something that was very noticeable in the last fight [with Daniel Jacobs] and it was his waist movement, Kovalev is big and strong, he is going to try to jab [Canelo] and he is not going to find him, and they are going to hit Kovalev's body hard. I think that between the seventh and tenth rounds, [Canelo] can knock him out."