Mexican Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Briton Billy Joe Saunders arrived comfortably at weight this Friday for Saturday’s fight for the unification of the super middleweight titles in Arlington, Texas.
World Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Alvarez tipped the scales at 167.4 pounds, well below the division’s 168 limit, while World Organization (WBO) incumbent ), Sanders, weighed 167.8 pounds.
A crowd of around 3,000 fans, mostly cheering for the Mexican idol, attended the weigh-in, which took place at AT&T Stadium, which will host the fight this weekend.
About 70,000 spectators are expected to attend the fight, the largest crowd for a sporting event in the United States since the pandemic began.
Although Saunders and Alvarez have spoken badly in preparation for the fight this week, the two men performed their best at the weigh-in, where they met without incident.
“It’s going to be a good fight,” Saunders (30-0, 14 knockouts) told the DAZN broadcast platform after the weigh-in. «He is a great champion. But I have come here to take all your titles.
When asked what he would have to do differently to upset “Canelo,” Saunders replied, “I haven’t lost in my career, 30-0, undefeated. Therefore, he (he) has to do something different to beat me.
Meanwhile, Álvarez said he was preparing for a tough battle against the English southpaw.
“He’s a difficult fighter and he’s also left-handed, but at this level you have to adapt and I’m ready for anything,” said Álvarez.
“It will be a tough fight, especially in the opening rounds. I’ve been in big fights before. I have the experience to deal with that. I’m ready for tomorrow”.
Alvarez is 55-1 with two draws and 37 knockouts. (AFP) (GG)