Marquez: Speed is The Key For Canelo, Chavez Must Get Faster

By Miguel Rivera

Former four division world champion Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez is advising Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to get faster is he intends to be competitive with countryman Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

The Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. HBO Pay-Per-View showdown is scheduled to take place on May 6th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

A catch-weight of 164.5-pounds is in place, with Chavez heading down from 168 pounds and Canelo heading up from 154 pounds.

Chavez Jr. will have the obvious advantage in size, reach and possibly strength, but Canelo will be faster.

Last week the boxer retained the services of Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristáin, and he already works with strength and conditioning trainer Angel 'Memo' Heredia. Marquez built his entire career with Nacho in corner and he's worked with Memo for years.

"Let's hope it's a very good fight, an entertaining fight for the fans. The media and social networks play their important roles, but the fighters are in the ring to do their best so fans who are going to see this fight come away happy," said Marquez said on 'Golpe a Golpe.'

"It will be provide a lot of confidence for Chavez Jr. to train hard with a great coach like Nacho Beristáin and a physical trainer like Memo Heredia. It will help him in the matter of weight in the matter of strength."

"Speed is also an important factor for Junior in this fight, because the speed is a part of Canelo Alvarez and if [Chavez] can also have a little more speed then it can be a competitive fight, a good fight.... because the point that favors Canelo is the speed and especially stepping to the side and boxing from the short distance, but if Julio comes in there with good preparation and speed - I'm telling you right now that it will be very important for him."