MEXICAN superstar Canelo Alvarez has eye on history when he takes on Gennady Golovkin for middleweight supremacy on September 16 in Las Vegas.
โThis can go down as one of the best fights in history,โ Alvarez said. โIt really depends how the fight pans out. Iโm going to do my part.
โWe both have attractive styles. We both have the power to win by knockout. But thatโs what makes this a great fight.โ
โThere have been many great historic fights with Mexican fighters,โ he continued. โThe ingredients are there so it can be a great fight.โ
For Canelo, this contest is the pinnacle of the sport. โI’ve always imagined myself being one of the best fighters and being in the big fights,โ he mused. โI have a lot of experience, Iโve been in big fights already. I could have never imagined the magnitudeโs itโs gotten to but itโs something Iโve always wanted.โ
For him, Alvarez insists, there is โno pressureโ.
His experience is what makes him a very different operator to the younger, lighter version that Floyd Mayweather outpointed in 2013. Canelo pointed to the confidence heโs developed above all. โIโve definitely learned a lot. I have more experience now,โ he said. โIโve changedโฆ Iโm much more a complete fighter now.โ
โI think the only reason he beat me was experience. He had more experience. He had more championship fights,โ he added. โI wonโt let that happen again.โ
While Canelo is taking on โGGG,โ a few weeks before his old opponent Mayweather is boxing mixed martial artist Conor McGregor. It would take a โmiracleโ for Alvarez to fight McGregor. The Irishman would have to beat Mayweather for a start. โIf that miracle was to happen then itโs a different conversation, if that miracle was to happen. But I doubt it very much,โ Canelo said.
While Alvarez has changed, he also believes Golovkin has developed from when they sparred in training camp. โWeโre different fighters now,โ he said. โYes there were some things I picked up but Iโm not basing everything on that.
โI was able to pick up some things but you canโt really compare a sparring session to a fight.โ
He knows Golovkin will be the most demanding battle of his career. โItโs going to be difficult, itโs going to be a very hard fight,โ he said. โBut one thing for sure, because of the styles, itโs going to be a great fight. Thatโs a guarantee.โ
โIโm going to give all of me. Whatever I have to do,โ he warned ominously.
Victory would be momentous for him. โI think that the winner should be recognised as potentially the best fighter in the world.โ
Watch Canelo Alvarez in training camp here:
Video: Golden Boy