Canelo Alvarez has a lot of weapons to throw at his opponents. The most striking might be his power, which has produced 37 knockouts in his 15-year career.
That’s no secret to Billy Joe Saunders, who is scheduled to face the Mexican star in a super middleweight title-unification bout on May 8 at AT&T Stadium – home of the Dallas Cowboys — in Arlington, Texas (DAZN).
The British fighter, known for his skills and nimbleness, was reminded that Alvarez had some trouble against movers like Erislandy Lara and Auston Trout but didn’t buy into the notion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY7HXkqj588
“Well, they didn’t win, did they?” Saunders said during an ‘E-presser’ to promote the fight. “So I don’t think movement is key. Sure, it helps. Being clever, where you move is more key in this fight.
“I think my movement helps me because if one of them bombs is coming, I need to move out of the way. So obviously it helps.”
Don’t get the wrong idea, though. Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs) is an undefeated champion who has been fighting most of his life. He’s not afraid of any fighter, including Alvarez (55-1-2, 37 KOs).
“I respect every fighter who gets into the ring,” he said. “I have to respect them because their lives are put on the line but as humans we’re all one. I don’t put myself beneath or on top of anyone.
“I respect [Alvarez] as a fighter but that’s as far as it gets. I respect everyone.”
Saunders would argue that he’s not getting the respect he deserves. He’s irked that promoter Eddie Hearn is openly planning for Alvarez to face Caleb Plant to unify all four titles in September.
Hearn, who conducted the “E-presser” interviews, asked Saunders how confident he is that he will play the spoiler.
“Only yourself, Eddie, is talking about that fight and Canelo’s camp. So you tell me more,” Saunders said. “I’ll be looking to put a spanner in the works for that that same as I did with previous champions when they’re talking about other fights.
“They’ve got to beat me first.”
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