WBC and WBA (Super) super middleweight champion of the world Canelo Álvarez (55-1-2, 37 KOs) will be moving one step closer to becoming undisputed at 168 as the Mexican boxing maestro prepares to square off against WBO titleholder Billy Joe Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs).
Back in mid March, it was announced that the much anticipated super middleweight unification bout is slated to take place on 8th May at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Canelo is going to have only 10 weeks between Yıldırım and Saunders fights
Looking at the background of both boxers, Canelo is fresh off of a dominating title defense against Avni Yıldırım, the Turkish mandatory challenger who retired after just three rounds on 27th February at the Hard Rock Stadium.
On the other hand, Saunders was last seen in action back on 4th December last year against his fellow British pugilist Martin Murray at the SSE Arena in London, marking his second straight title defense via a unanimous decision victory.
Comparing both of their previous bouts, Canelo will only have a gap of 10 weeks between the Yıldırım fight and facing Saunders, who oppositely will be on a five month hiatus before the unification fight.
Such an uneven resting period makes the Saunders fight difficult for Canelo, who will be appearing on his third fight in a period of just less than five months since stopping Callum Smith on 19th December last year in Texas.
On top of that, Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso brings out some complications regarding the Saunders clash, pointing at the fighting style of “Superb”.
“The fight with Saunders will be really complicated,” Reynoso said in a recent interview, “he works his legs really well. He throws good combinations, and he has good defense. He fights hard. I think it’s gonna be a good fight.”
Alongside his trainer, Canelo himself shed praise on his upcoming opponent and his southpaw fighting stance.
“He’s a good fighter,” the 30-year-old asserted in reference to Saunders, “he’s a hard fighter. He’s a southpaw and he likes to talk.”
Nonetheless, despite having fights in such short gaps, the motivation for the belts keeps Canelo powered, “but we’re gonna be ready for him, and I’m gonna train to be ready for him. I’m very motivated. Getting the titles motivates me very much.” (H/T BoxingScene)
