Need to be patient, Alvarez says as he eyes Bivol crown
LAS VEGAS: Undisputed super-middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez embarks on another ambitious target today when he jumps up in weight class to take on Russian light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol.
The 31-year-old Mexican icon, seen by many as the best pound-forpound fighter on the planet, faces the undefeated Bivol (19-0, 11KOs) at the T-Mobile Arena in what could be the first step in another unification quest.
Alvarez (57-1-2, 39KOs) has already made boxing history by becoming the first man to unite all of the super-middleweight belts on offer, stopping Caleb Plant last November to add the IBF title to his WBA, WBC and WBO crowns.
Now Alvarez has his sights set on moving up from 168 pounds to conquer the 175-pound division — starting with Bivol’s WBA title today.
“I like the idea to be undisputed in two weight classes,” Alvarez said during a recent conference call.
“I feel in my prime. I feel strong. I feel confident that I can beat anybody.”
Alvarez — who offers a formidable combination of speed, skill, power and a high boxing IQ — already has experience of success at light-heavyweight, knocking out then WBO champion Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds during a bruising 2019 title fight.
The Mexican will typically spend the early rounds of a fight biding his time, working out his opponent before zeroing in on weaknesses with ruthless efficiency. That tried-and-trusted approach is likely to be on show against Bivol, who Alvarez described as a “very difficult fighter.”
“He can use distance in and out, but I have the experience and the skills to get inside,” Alvarez said. “I need to find a way to get inside and I will. I need to be patient.”
Bivol, meanwhile, has been quietly plotting an ambush and what would be a monumental upset, insisting that Alvarez is far from invincible.
“He has good power, he has good skills, but most of people think about him like he’s untouchable or he’s unstoppable, or he has enough power to beat super-heavyweights,” Bivol said.
“Sometimes it’s funny to hear about him from people. First of all, he’s a good fighter but he’s a man and he had a loss and draw. If you believe in your skills, if you’re a good boxer you could make him have one more loss.”