SAUL ALVAREZ used Wednesdayโs final press conference to make the surprising admission that his primary motivation against Jermell Charlo will be the opportunity to prove the smaller twin wrong about his own skills.
Undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo faces the worldโs No.1 light-middleweight Charlo at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on Saturday night and the Mexican is a clear favourite.
But as the pair faced the media for the final time ahead of the clash, Canelo revealed a chip on his shoulder about how Charlo has never really rated him.
โJermell is right when he says I have nothing to prove anymore,โ the 33-year-old said. โBut actually this time I have something to prove to him because he never believed in my skills.
โHe always called me out and never believed in me. Now I have the chance to show him my skills and that motivates me. I always train 100 per cent but in this fight it has been more because I have this motivation, he never believed in my skills, always calling me out. Iโm ready to show him in a couple of days.
โThings are different for people when they fight me. Itโs hard to say what he will find out about me but he is going to feel it. Itโs hard to explain but itโs something different and he is going to realise itโs something different. Heโs never been in with a fighter like me.
โYou havenโt experienced this level of fight,โ he said turning his gaze to Charlo. โYou will learn and you will see.โ
Charlo, behind sunglasses and wearing a tracksuit adorned with pictures of all the various sanctioning body titles he has won, replied: โThatโs just what it is. I’m coming to win this fight, no matter what I say [about him]. You believe in your skills or not. Thereโs a lot of people who donโt believe in you. If thatโs his motivation, to prove to me about his skills, then so be it. But Iโm coming to win.
โI appreciate him taking me, the little brother, the little Charlo. But little Charlo come to win. Donโt overlook my power, my experience and my skills.
โThatโs what Iโm here for and what Iโm made for. Iโm a warrior. I feel like Canelo has never seen a fighter of my calibre. Heโs been in a fight with great fighters but thereโs something I bring to the table that is a lot different.
โIโm ready for whatever, Iโm a motherfucking lion.โ
At this Canelo, who spoke entirely in English during the press conference, flashed a smile.
โHmm,โ He pondered aloud. โOK. I donโt know what animal I need to say I am to beat a lion. But whatever, just tune in to the fight.โ