By Ryan Burton
The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will play host to the May 6th catch-weight showdown between WBO super welterweight champion Canelo Alvarez (48-1-1) and former middleweight titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (50-2-1). The bout will be distributed by HBO pay-per-view.
Chávez last fought in December when he defeated Dominik Britsch via unanimous decision. Chávez has fought in the 170-172 pound range in recent years but was able to get down to 167.8 for the fight.
Even though Chávez will have to suck down to a catchweight of 164.5 pounds against Canelo, Chavez's former trainer Robert Garcia believes the weight will be to his advantage.
Canelo has never weighed in at more than 155 pounds in his career and in contrast to most of his fights, will be the smaller man in the ring.
"I think that he has an advantage," Garcia told BoxingScene.com. "What I heard when he was working with Memo - he made I think it was 167 with no problems so I think at 164 he should be comfortable. That's what Memo said and Memo is really good at that. I think Memo is in charge of that so it shouldn't be a problem and I think he has the advantage."
The son of the legendary Julio César Chávez Sr. has had well chronicled discipline issues in the past. For this all Mexican grudge match, Garcia expects Chávez, who will be trained by iconic trainer Nacho Beristain, to be very motivated and put in the work needed to make the weight and put on a great performance.
"For this type of fight I think he will give his best. I think that Chavez will train hard because he knows he can't lose this fight. I am not saying he is going to win or he can't lose but in himself he is going to train like he can't lose the fight. It is pride. It is family. There is just so much to lose," said Garcia.
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