A LOT of people said that Canelo Alvarez is ducking Gennady Golovkin, I didnโt look at it like that, I look at it like itโs got to make business sense for all involved. Obviously theyโve got to that level and fights like this donโt just happen overnight, it takes time to make.
I didnโt think it would be like Mayweather-Pacquiao, I didnโt think it would take that long, but massive fights like this take a lot longer to make and organise than other ones.
I was a little bit disappointed that Caneloย Alvarez didnโt try and stop Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr. Chavez Jnr probably killed himself to get to the weight, I donโt think he had much left in the tank. It was an easy nightโs work for Alvarez and he fights like that โ if he can have an easy nightโs work, heโll have an easy night. He doesnโt over-exert himself, he doesnโt push himself if he doesnโt need to.
It wonโt be an easy night against Golovkin, I think itโll be a very tough fight but Iโve said it from day one when the fight was first talked about; I think Alvarez beats him all day long. Honestly, Iโve said it from day one. I think heโs got the brain, the ability, the speed, the power, the movement. Over Golovkinโs last couple of fights, weโve seen a little bit of a blueprint on how to beat him. I think Alvarez beats Danny Jacobs, I think Alvarez beats Kell Brook โ Golovkinโs last two opponents.
I just think Caneloย has the speed and ability and boxing brain to beat โGGGโ. People think Iโve said it this long just because I shared a ring with Alvarez โ not at all. I always try and state my honest opinion, and I think Alvarez beats โGGGโ.
I fought Alvarez about six years ago and heโs a hell of a lot better fighter now. Heโs come on massively in every department, and I honestly believe heโs got what it takes to beat โGGGโ.
When I fought Alvarez, I noticed that he was very, very accurate with his punches. He never threw anything if he didnโt think it was going to land, he doesnโt waste anything. Heโs very accurate with his body shots, with his head shots. Heโs got great speed and heโs got great head movement, I never expected him to have as good movement and head movement as he did. Thatโs what great fighters have. I went in with a gameplan, I had to change my gameplan because I never expected him to box like he boxed. Great fighters can adapt and change their plan if things arenโt working.
I think Caneloย will have a plan for Golovkin. Weโve not seen much different from Golovkin in his fights. He comes forward, heโs heavy-handed, he throws shots from unorthodox angles and weโve not seen much different from him. Weโve seen Alvarez box, weโve seen him fight, weโve seen him move, weโve seen him knock people clean out. So we know heโs got everything.
When Canelo Alvarez attacks, whatโs Golovkin going to be like? When Alvarez boxes, whatโs Golovkin going to be like? If he stands in the trenches and has a war with him, Alvarez has proven heโs got a great defence. I honestly just think heโs got what it takes to beat him.
He was a superstar in Mexico back when I fought him and heโs an even bigger superstar now. When we arrived at the airport the cameras were there, we were walking down all the streets and saw all the billboards, heโs on TV, heโs in the papers. Heโs an absolute superstar in Mexico, they absolutely love him, and so they should because heโs a fantastic fighter. But heโs a different Mexican fighter because he doesnโt use crash, bang, wallop aggressive fighting, heโs got a boxing brain. He can box as well as he can fight and I think thatโs the difference, thatโs why heโs such a superstar in Mexico, heโs something different in the boxing world. When he beats Golovkin heโll move to a different level.