The road to undisputed greatness for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (55-1-2, 37 KOs) will stop in Texas as his undefeated opponent Billy Joe Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs), who owns one of the four major belts in the 168lb division is the next hurdle for the unified champion Alvarez to clear. Saturday night Alvarez will continue his quest to become the first undisputed World Super Middleweight Champion in boxing history, when he faces Saunders in a unification bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Canelo’s WBA, WBC, and RingSuper Middleweight Titles, along with WBO title the Saunders holds will be on the line, leaving the winner one step closer to a matchup with the IBF title holder Caleb Plant for undisputed greatness.
After capturing the WBA and WBC titles in a lopsided unanimous decision win over Callum Smith in December, Alvarez made quick work of the WBC mandatory opponent Avni Yildırim this past February. Now Canelo looks to conquer the next chapter in his illustrious career on one of Mexico’s biggest holidays, Cinco de Mayo weekend. “I feel really happy, it’s a big responsibility to represent Mexico on these important dates. I’m very proud and very happy to be able to represent my country on such important dates” Stated Alvarez who went on to say “Yeah, I know what Billy Joe brings. He’s a fast fighter that moves a lot. He’s a southpaw, a difficult opponent, but at this level, I have to adapt to any style, and I’m ready to make history and for any style. I’m always ready to fight, and boxing is my life. And I’m very happy to be so active. I’m going to win without a doubt. I’m here at 100%. I came to win, I came to make history, and that’s the only thing going through my head.
Saunders on the other hand has his own plans for this Saturday night and feels that Canelo’s camp is overlooking him as a formidable opponent.“He’s the main man in the sport and the face of boxing. You have to give him respect, he hasn’t ducked anyone, he’s beaten good names, but nobody is unbeatable, and I believe I have got the tools to beat him if I use them properly and if the game plan comes off that I believe works. I have to dare to be great and you aren’t going to be great if you don’t beat the greats. I believe I am the only one with the footwork, know-how, skill-set, mindset and brain to unlock that door in Canelo.” Stated Saunders. “It would mean the absolute world to me, in boxing, like I say, I started boxing when I was five years old and to get to this stage in my career this is the pinnacle of the pinnacle of the mountain; it would mean everything, This fight will always be about legacy, because of what’s on the line”
With an expected 70,000 fans in attendance this Saturday night, this is one sign that boxing is returning to normal. Canelo the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world is a clear favorite here, but this isn’t the Avni Yildırim fight. Saunders the undefeated Englishman not only have the requisite statistical edges in height (5’11” to 5’8″) and reach (71″ to 70”) he’s a slick, crafty, southpaw that has the technical skills that can give Alvarez trouble inside of the squared circle. Fans can expect Saunders to be 100 percent focused and as ready he can be. Canelo who many believe is in the prime of career, just the overall better fighter and heavy betting favorite leading up to this unification bout will also be the biggest boxing star Saunders has ever faced. Saunders has never had a fight on the level of what he’ll see in front of him Saturday night under the bright lights in Texas. It’s just his third fight outside of the UK and the first time he’ll share the ring with a global superstar like Canelo. Will Saunders fold under pressure or shock the world? We’ll definitely find out Saturday night.
In the co-main event of the Canelo vs. Saunders card, Elwin “Pulga” Soto (18-1 12 KOs) will defend his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama (32-8 12 KOs
Also on the Card Kieron Conway(16-1-1 3 KOs) will defend his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against the former French olympian Souleymane Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs).
“It’s a stacked night of action at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Cinco De Mayo weekend,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Elwin Soto is a great addition to our stable and the Mexican World champion will want to dazzle on the biggest stage against the experienced Takayama.“The clash between Kieron and Souleymane is a cracker, and I am thrilled for both of them that they get to perform on this stage – there will be some spice there after it was postponed in December and now, they get their hands on each other in Texas.
