LAS VEGAS — Since Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s first defeat, he has refined his boxing abilities and amassed so many great victories that he is now the sport’s top boxer and a Hall of Famer.
In his 61st fight against Dimitry Bivol in May, following a 16-fight unbeaten streak, Canelo suffered another upset loss.
Bivol’s feints and triple jabs prevented the Mexican boxer from establishing his legacy at light heavyweight, a division he has no right to dominate given that he began his career at welterweight.
On Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, he will compete in another high-profile boxing battle. This time, Gennadiy Golovkin, an opponent he has already faced twice, is in the opposing corner.
Considering Canelo’s past, the issue this time is if he will adapt once again and embark on another winning streak to restore himself as the sport’s top contender.
Alvarez told Insider in an interview organised by his main sponsor Hennessy, “I’m always trying to learn.” “I am taught by everything.”
One of boxing’s most renowned trainers, Eddy Reynoso, is Alvarez’s manager and trainer. Reynoso will be in his corner, as he has been from the beginning, in an effort to restore Canelo to the top tier of boxing.
Canelo will be under pressure to not only rebound with a victory over Golovkin, but to do so with a knockout that erases the memories of his loss to Bivol.
Canelo told us, “I cannot wait to be in the ring again, coming back stronger than before.” “I endeavor to learn from everything during my life. In this duel, I will contribute my utmost effort.”
‘Losing is alright’
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol.
Image via Getty Images
Insider covers the last fight Canelo had in Las Vegas.
In contrast to many elite-level competitors, his entourage is not disproportionately large. He has a team of trainers. He possesses a family.
Canelo’s five-year-old daughter Maria sat next to us as he made his way to the stage during the grand arrivals at the beginning of the week in May, after a loud Mariachi band introduced him to his fans.
When she spotted her father, she applauded, yelled “Papi!”, and exchanged love glances with the combatant.
Canelo stated this week, in front of another of his fight weeks, “When you win, you celebrate.” You are content with your friends, teammates, and family.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s daughter Maria Fernanda has outperformed him onstage.
Image via Getty Images
These relationships are equally as crucial during times of grief.
These ties appear to define Canelo more than his rare defeats.
Canelo stated, “You must have a strong mind and think ahead.” “Losing is acceptable. You must also learn from that.
“You must accept a loss like a man, and I have no problem with that. This fight has my my attention, and I cannot wait to enter the ring.”
According to a TV executive, Canelo’s boxing journey benefits the sport.
Prior to his loss against Bivol earlier this year, Matchroom and DAZN’s promotional theme for its headline fighter, Canelo, was that he was daring to be great by stepping up a weight class to confront a true champion.
This time, the idea is that by pursuing legacy-enhancing contests, Canelo is helping to advance the sport by demonstrating that losses do not diminish a fighter’s star power.
This week at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, DAZN executive vice president Joe Markowski told Insider that it is a relic of the Floyd Mayweather era.
A significant aspect of Mayweather’s legacy is that he remained undefeated despite competing in some of boxing’s highest-grossing fights ever.
During this time, a loss appeared to damage a fighter’s standing within a class and the sport as a whole.
Markowski thinks that boxing has evolved since the advent of the UFC, where there are more ways to lose a match, and Canelo.
Markowski told Insider that Canelo helps the sport go beyond the preoccupation with unbeaten records. “It makes no difference commercially or in the eyes of fans.
“Conor McGregor is the UFC’s biggest draw, but I’ve lost track of how many times he’s been defeated. He continues to earn seven-figure pay-per-view figures because he is an attraction, entertaining, and people are interested in his career.
They could not care less if he perfects, keeps, and maintains a perfect record.
Saul Canelo Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather fought each other.
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People are drawn to Canelo, according to Markowski, because “he’s using his career to test himself.”
He added: “Canelo accepts significant hurdles that include risk. These risks cost him a victory against Mayweather and Bivol, but I believe the respect level in both cases drew him in.
“I expect he will face Bivol again shortly, which will be a huge physical challenge. Therefore, I appreciate him more.”
Markowski believes it adds drama to the question of whether he will recover with a knockout victory against Golovkin or struggle against his old adversary.
Canelo anticipates a “great fight” with Golovkin.
Markowski stated that Canelo and Golovkin “have had a genuine animosity for one another for years.”
The fighters Saul Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin.
Image via Getty Images
This needle has the potential to enhance the performance, as Canelo himself promises a “great fight.”
The super middleweight world champion, who is defending his WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF crowns, stated, “My goal is to terminate the fight before the 12th round via knockout.”
He concluded by contacting Golovkin “A tremendous and powerful fighter. No matter what he delivers, I will be prepared.”
