Mikey Garcia: If Chavez Jr. Trains Right, He Can Beat Canelo

By Ryan Burton

MGM Grand, LAS VEGAS - Unbeaten lightweight contender Mikey Garcia (35-0) met with a group of reporters to discuss his upcoming clash against Dejan Zlaticacin (22-0). With a victory Garcia can pick up the WBC lightweight title and become a three-division champion. The fight takes place on Saturday night will be televised by Showtime.

Garcia was asked a variety of questions including his thoughts on the May 6th all Mexican grudge match between Canelo Alvarez (48-1-1) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (50-2-1).

Bookmakers have installed Canelo as a sizable favorite but Garcia thinks that Chavez has an excellent shot at pulling off the upset.

"I think that is a good fight for the fans. Not the fight that people want to see Canelo in but it is still a good fight. I think Chavez, if he trains well like I hope he does, has a really good chance. He is a big guy, a strong guy," said Garcia.

Both Alvarez and Chavez Jr. routinely put on a lot weight between their weigh ins and fight night. Even though Alvarez will be moving up 9.5 pounds from his last fight, Garcia doesn't think that weight will be a disadvantage for the Jalisco, Mexico native.

"Canelo is a big dude anyways. He shrinks himself to make 154. He hurts himself to make it. I heard there was a time he couldn't make 154 so they had to make some adjustments to 155 because he couldn't do it. He is a huge dude. 160 or 164 it is the same deal. I think it is a close fight. If Chavez doesn't train or isn't motivated then I think Canelo has the advantage," Garcia told BoxingScene.com.

If Chavez trains like he did during the best run of his career - when he won the WBC middleweight title and also stopped Andy Lee - Garcia believes Canelo could be in for a surprise.

"You would think he would want (to train hard) and I hope he does. I like Chavez and if he trains like he did when he fought Sebastian Zbik or Andy Lee or any of his title defenses you will see a very good Chavez. If he can train like that and come hungry like that, I give him a very good chance of winning," Garcia reasoned.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter