Saul Alvarez Expects a "Very Difficult" Fight From Rhodes

By Jhonny Gonzalez

WBC 154-pound champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez expects a very tough fight on June 18, when he makes the first defense of his title against England's Ryan Rhodes at Arena VFG in his native Guadalajara. Alvarez (36-0-1, 26KOs), 20, has the edge in youth, but he doesn't have the experence of Rhodes (45-4, 31KOs), 34. Alvarez told Jose Pando that he's training for the most difficult fight of his entire career.

"He is certainly a very strong fighter. He's a boxer who knows how to move in the ring. I've seen videos of him and he looks like a very good fighter. But we are preparing for that, we are very focused  because he is a strong and hard fighter. Rhodes is a fighter with hard punches, left-handed and a bit complicated. Must be very careful because we know he can punch," Alvarez said. "It will be a tough fight and difficult and we are preparing for that at the present. We'll see what happens on June 18."