Canelo Expects Difficult Fight, Says Intelligence is Key

By Luis Sandoval

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has quickly become one of boxing’s biggest stars as he carries a big and loyal Mexican following and holds a world title in the Junior Middleweight division. Alvarez has had 42 professional fights but he is only 22 years old and one of the youngest champions in the sport only second to Adrien Broner.

While Canelo has a huge fan base, he also has his share of critics who still aren’t sold on young Mexican champion. But instead of letting the criticism get the best of him, Canelo takes it in stride and understands it’s something that will always be there regardless.

 “No, never. They’ll never stop. I think criticism is constructive and there it will always be there. So you have to respect it and do your job. I like this fight and we are happy with this fight. I love challenges and I’m very happy” Canelo would tell BoxingScene.

Credit has to be given to Alvarez who chose the toughest assignment possible in Trout and is putting his title and undefeated record on the line. While he says losing isn’t an option for him, he does understand he’s not going to have an easy tonight.

“It’s going to be a complicated fight more than anything. Austin Trout is a fighter that hits and moves, hits and holds so it’s going to be a fight more about intelligence. The smarter fighter is going to come out the winner that day. The important thing in this fight will be that we do not despair at any point in the fight” Alvarez would tell BoxingScene.

Trainers Jose “Chepo” and Eddy Reynoso also expect a tough fight from Trout but much like Canelo, they are confident in the end their fighter will not only be victorious, but he will also prove to the doubters that he is for real.

“Well it’s a great fight. It’s a fight that’s going to show if Canelo is what they say he is. A lot of people like you said criticize him but we are calm and we know we have to advance little by little. Austin Trout is a difficult fighter and a fighter with great technique but we are confident that we are going to do a great job that night and win. We did a great preparation and we are in the last phase. We are coming along great and I think this fight is going to be very interesting and you will see the real Canelo” said Eddy Reynoso.

Much like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr who took a step up in class and put it all on the line against Sergio Martinez last year, Alvarez is doing the same against Trout. But unlike Chavez Jr, Canelo wants to come out of this a unified champion with his perfect record intact. We’re only a few hours away from finding out if he can accomplish that.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to BoxingScene Radio, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.