
Mexican superstar and Ring Magazine middleweight world champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico has made headlines in recent days as last week he officially announced his upcoming Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) rematch with WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO middleweight world champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on HBO Pay per view and just a few days ago Canelo made other headlines.
"Everyone knows this fight will be a good fight after seeing the first fight everyone knows what to expect on Cinco de Mayo," Saul "Canelo" Alvarez told Southern California Boxing.com. "The truth I am confident that I can win and knock him out,"
After weeks of deciding on a host site there was much speculation about the fight potentially landing at New York's Madison Square Garden. The sound of a Cinco de Mayo showdown of this magnitude taking place in New York just didn't sound right as Las Vegas has hosted major fights on Cinco de Mayo weekend
"Las Vegas is where it started and this is where it should be settled," Canelo said.
With the fight officially set Canelo will now begin his training camp in San Diego and Big Bear, California. The Canelo camp trainer Eddier Reynoso and manager Jose "Chepo" Reynoso had been considering the preparation in the high altitude. Canelo has been holding training camp in San Diego in his most recent fights.
"We have been considering moving the camp to high altitude but any fighter that is well disciplined and a dedicated boxer like Canelo can train anywhere in high altitude or sea level to prepare for the fight," Trainer Eddie Reynoso told Southern California Boxing.com
The last time Alvarez stepped foot in the ring was in showdown vs. Golovkin and their first time in the ring together since their sparring session. This time it was no sparring session as Canelo and GGG engaged in a classic 12 round battle that saw Canelo do most of the boxing while mixing it up trading and landing big shots as Golovkin stalked and landed the bigger punches throughout the fight. In the end the fight was scored a draw however it the fight and result would be overshadowed by one of the three judges scorecards.
"Honestly I felt I won the fight by 2 points. "He hit me with a lot of good shots but I hope that was his best punch. I felt like the winner but the good thing is that we are having this rematch," Canelo on the first fight. "We followed the game plan. I feel that there was a lot of openings that I didn't take advantage of,"
In what was a competitive fight many fans and observers at ringside obviously saw it a close fight with most favoring Golovkin as judges Dave Moretti scored the bout 115-113 for Golovkin, and Don Trella had it even at 114-114 while Adalaide Byrd scored it a wide 118-110 score favoring Alvarez which caused an uproar from fans and media.
"I respect the all judges, boxing is about appreciation," Canelo on the judges scores."It was a tough fight. I had to work hard for but this was my first fight at 160 against the best in the division," Canelo added.
Canelo mentioned what he could do better this second time around having already gone 12 rounds with Golovkin, Alvarez said there are some flaws he can correct as well as take advantage of opportunities he missed out on the first time around.
"I learned a lot from the first fight. I made him miss and that I didn't take advantage of. There were some opportunities in which I could of let my hands go more," Canelo explained.
In wake of the first fight, Canelo has heard it all from the critics. Fans saying he ran vs. Golovkin, or he is not fighting like a true Mexican. Golovkin's trainer Abel Sanchez most recently accused Golovkin or running around the ring throughout the fight and both Sanchez and Alvarez exchanged some heated words at the kickoff press conference last week in Los Angeles.
"Boxing with technique and skill doesn't mean that I ran. I mean I stood on the ropes and I was able to fight him off the ropes. It's not always about going forward. He (Abel Sanchez) should know, if he calls himself a good trainer," Canelo explained.
Just to add more to the criticism, in a press release issued this past Monday, Alvarez tested positive for trace levels of Clenbuterol. In the past there have been consistent cases of meat contamination that has impacted athletes in Mexico over the years. As a result Canelo will submit to any number and variety of additional tests that VADA deems necessary ahead of and after May 5th as part of the voluntary testing program. Here is what Canelo had to say.
"I am an athlete who respects the sport and this surprises me and bothers me because it had never happened to me. I will submit to all the tests that require me to clarify this embarrassing situation and I trust that at the end the truth will prevail,"
For now Alvarez remains focus in camp and concentrating for his rematch with Golovkin, there is no doubt that this recent issue has served as some sort of distraction. One thing is certain win, lose, or draw in the rematch, Canelo will be facing the critics.
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