Australian junior middleweight star Tim Tszyu is firmly backing Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to defeat Jermell Charlo on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Charlo, the undisputed world champion at junior middleweight, is moving up by two full weight divisions to challenge Canelo for his undisputed crown at 168-pounds. The fight headlines a Showtime Pay-Per-View card.

Tszyu, the WBO's interim-beltholder, will be automatically elevated to the status of full champion once Charlo steps in the ring this weekend.

According to Tszyu, he expects Canelo's experience and ring smarts will play a major role in the outcome of the contest.

While Tszyu has a lot of respect for Charlo, he believes Canelo is simply a level above.

“[Charlo is] the lowest [among the undisputed champions. Then you’ve also got guys like Naoya Inoue and (Oleksandr) Usyk … they’re levels above. They’re the top guys. But in saying that, he (Charlo) is not that far behind. To be an undisputed champion like Charlo, you have to possess something. And he’s number one in the division, has taken everyone else out," Tszyu told Fox Sports Australia.

“But Canelo Alvarez is next level ... and Charlo isn’t on that same level. I just feel more confident about Canelo now. I still think it will go to the later rounds, and think Charlo will be sharp at first, moving around. But once he sits on the ropes, that’s where Canelo will dominate. Will get the KO. Just with his physical strength, his IQ and experience. I’m expecting those three factors to play a big part in this fight.

“I actually don’t think size will be a massive thing. Canelo used to fight at 154, people forget that. And he’s shorter than Charlo. So I don’t think size will play a part.”