Rene ‘Gemelo’ Alvarado can’t think of a better way to celebrate a year filled with upsets than by joining his fellow career-long underdogs—even if it means taking out one of its own in the process.

“This has been God’s plan, He led me to this moment and it is my time to win the world title,” Nicaragua’s Alvarado (31-8, 20KOs) told BoxingScene.com of his upcoming rematch with Andrew Cancio (21-4-2, 16KOs), the man who’s stood front and center in the Year of the Upset.

The rematch takes place this Saturday at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California (Saturday, DAZN, 7:30pm ET/4:30pm local time). The oft-sold out venue—which will be the case this weekend—played host to Cancio’s pair of knockout wins over Alberto Machado, the first of which came this past February to win the 130-pound title which he defends for a second time.

The venue also played host to the first fight between the tandem in this weekend’s main event, with Cancio claiming an 8th round stoppage win in their Dec. 2015 clash that seems like a lifetime ago to both. In a way it is for Cancio, who retired following a 2016 loss to Joseph Diaz Jr. only to be coaxed out of retirement last spring. Four wins have followed, including his pair over Machado.

Alvarado never fled from the game, taking his lumps in stride as he remained of the belief that greater glory lied ahead. The loss to Cancio came during a rough three year stretch where he went 4-6, although a competitive March 2017 points loss to Yuriorkis Gamboa still left him viewed as a serviceable opponent, if nothing else.

So much more than that has since come of his career. Alvarado has claimed eight straight heading into his first career title opportunity, looking to join twin brother Felix Alvarado— a reigning 108-pound titlist—on the title stage. Just three sets of twins in boxing history have both won major titles in the pro ranks—Khaosai and Kaokor Galaxy (Thailand), Ramon and Raul Garcia (Mexico), and Jermall and Jermell Charlo (United States).

Watching boxers such as Cancio go on to greater glory was motivating to Alvarado. So too was his own growing list of recent in-ring victims Roger Gutierrez, Denis Shafikov and Carlos Morales all breathing new life into their respective careers in 2019, in addition to the continued success of his ‘gemelo’ (Spanish for ‘twin’, hence Alvarado’s nickname).

“It was Cancio’s time when he fought Machado (in February), and I’m humble enough to admit it was his time the first time we fought,” notes Alvarado. “But I know how far I’ve come along since that fight. Watching my brother realize his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion was something special. We have always been there to motivate each other, going to school together growing up and throughout our boxing careers.

“Now it is time for us to celebrate world championship wins as brothers. I waited a long time for this opportunity, and God decided now was the time to present to me this glory.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox