Pressure builds for Chavez Jr, Alvarez
JULIO Cesar Chavez Jr feels it is the “perfect time” to fight Saul Alvarez and does not believe weight will be an issue.
The former WBC middleweight world champion went face-to-face with “Canelo” while doing media duties this week, ahead of their 74.6kg catchweight bout in Las Vegas on May 6.
Chavez Jr has not fought lower than 76.2kg since losing to Sergio Martinez in 2012, and failed to make the stipulated 77kg limit against Marcos Reyes in 2015.
Alvarez stopped Liam Smith to claim the WBO super-welterweight title in his last fight.
Chavez Jr, the 31-yearold son of Boxing Hall of Fame legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr does not envisage having any weight problems ahead of his battle with Alvarez.
“I’ve been making my way to this fight,” said Chavez Jr.
“My last fight was at 76.2kg. This fight has the potential to open many doors to my future that might have been closed before. I fight for pride.”
Alvarez, whose notable victories include downing both Miguel Cotto and Amir Khan at 70.3kg, has only lost to Floyd Mayweather in 50 fights.
He is stepping up 4.7kg from his last outing when he stopped Liam Smith to claim the WBO super-welterweight title in September last year.
Chavez Jr aims to inflict only the second professional defeat on Alvarez.
Another aspect of Chavez Jr’s preparations for the fight is reading little into his opponent’s stellar record.
Adding to his metaphorical weight, Chavez Jr considers the influence of his head coach and his father as a distinct advantage over Alvarez.
“Everyone says that Canelo is the best,” said Chavez Jr. “With Nacho Beristain in my corner, I have a lot of knowledge on my side.
“[My father’s name] is symbolic because his name is etched as one of the greats. Canelo isn’t Oscar De La Hoya’s son. I’ve got a great corner. I am going to win this fight.”
Below is Alvarez’s media address about the fight:.
“Good afternoon to everybody. Just want to say thank you, once again, for supporting another one of our fights, and for being here. I am looking forward to do what I always do: train hard, have a 100% focus and be ready to give you guys all a great performance.
“No, he’s one more of the 50 of all my opponents that I’ve faced. I’ve wanted to rip their heads off; I wanted to beat them; I wanted to knock them out.
“This is a little extra. There’s a little bit more motivation, of course, because of the rivalry – but it’s another one of my fights.
“Titles are very important to me but this is above that. This goes above a title, any title. It’s for honour, for pride, and it’s very important for me. And to keep making history in my career.
“Everything’s possible in boxing and as the great Bernard Hopkins once said, ‘Once a quitter, always a quitter.’ So anything’s possible.
“I want to thank all of you for all the support you’ve given in the promotion. I’ll see you all on April 19 for the public workout and then during the fight week for May 6.
“I want to see all the people there in support. Thank you so much.”