The name of a legend won’t save Chavez
THIS is about blood, about family honour and Mexican pride, and it takes place on the Cinco de Mayo weekend, the biggest public holiday in Mexico.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is the one following his own path in the manner of Julio Cesar Chavez, the greatest Mexican ring hero of all time.
His opponent in the early hours tomorrow, Chavez Jnr, was always going to be in a difficult spot the moment he chose to follow in his father’s epic footsteps.
He really should have chosen another career as far away from boxing as he could. He didn’t and so here he is, walking into a wall of hero worship the likes of which his father knew.
Chavez takes a great shot, he’s rugged, and has been stopped only once, by Andrzej Fonfara two years ago.
He quit on his stool that night but I don’t expect a second ‘no mas’ on this occasion.
Canelo does not have exceptional power. Indeed he could not put Matthew Hatton away six years ago though he did outclass him.
It is his combination punching that makes him truly special.
There is nothing subtle about Chavez Jnr.
He’s solid and physically bigger and if this was at light heavyweight he would have a chance.
But, though I would love this to be genuinely competitive, I suspect another rousing Canelo coronation.