Saul Canelo Álvarez picks his top three Mexican fighters
Ahead of his clash with Jermell Charlo on September 30 in as Vegas, Saul Canelo Álvarez revealed his top three favourite Mexican fighters in history.
The four-weight ruler from Guadalajara defends his hoard of undisputed super-middleweight titltes to American Jermell Charlo on SHOWTIME PPV this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In an interview with PPV.com, he listed this top three compatriots:
1. Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 85KO)
'The Lion of Culiacán' competed from 1980 to 2005 and won world titles in three divisions Chávez was listed by The Ring magazine as the world's best pound for pound boxer between 1990 to 1993, and was also named Fighter of the Year for 1987 and 1990 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring respectively.
Now 61, he holds records for the most total successful defenses of world titles (27), most title fight victories and fighters beaten for the title (b31), and most title fights (37); he has the second most title defenses won by knockout (21, after Joe Louis with 23). His fight record was 89 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw before his first professional loss to Frankie Randall in 1994, before which he had an 87-fight win streak until his draw with Pernell Whitaker in 1993. Chávez's 1993 win over Greg Haugen at the Estadio Azteca set the record for the largest attendance for an outdoor boxing match: 136,274.
2. Gilberto Roman (54-6-1, 35KO)
Gilberto Román was a member of the 1980 Mexican Olympic team and a two-time WBC and Lineal Super Flyweight Champion, trained by Boxing Hall of Famer Ignacio Beristáin. He sadly died in an automobile accident in June 1990, just three after his last fight.
3. Salvador Sanchez (44-1-1, 32KO)
The Invincible Eagle, also known as Iron Lung, turned pro at 16 after just four amateur bouts and went on to become a long-reigning WBC and Ring Magazine featherweight champion in the 80s.
Almost identical to Gilberto Roman, Sanchez died in a car crash just three weeks after his last fight, which was a 15th round TKO victory over Azumah Nelson at Madison Square Garden on July 21, 1982. Aged just 23, Sanchez crashed on the early morning of August 12, 1982, while driving his Porsche 928 sports car along the federal highway from Querétaro to San Luis Potosí, dying instantly.
Canelo vs Charlo
CANELO ÁLVAREZ: “I feel great and ready for this fight. Jermell is right, I have nothing to prove. But this time, I have something to prove to him. He never believed in my skills. He’s been calling me out. Now I have the opportunity to show him my skills. And that motivates me. I had a great camp and I’m ready to show everybody my new skills.
“I always train 100% and motivate myself, but it’s even more for this fight. He’s called me out for a long time and I’m gonna show him what I can do in just a couple days.
“He’s gonna feel it. It’s hard to explain it, but it’s just something different. He’s not used to being in there with a fighter like me.
“Just make sure you tune in, because it’s gonna be a great fight. I don’t know what animal I need to be, but I’m that animal. Tune in on September 30. It’s gonna be good, believe me.
“I never overlook any fighter. I know what he’s gonna bring and I’m ready. I’ve been in there with all types of fighters. He hasn’t experienced this kind of level of fight. You will see and you will learn.
“I want history for my career. I want to achieve a lot of things. This is another one of them and I can’t wait.
“People will always have something negative to say. I have to prove that I’m still on top.”
JERMELL CHARLO: “We finally made it to this moment. Training camp was really hard and I had to really focus. Canelo is the kind of fighter you can’t take for granted. He’s done everything in this sport of boxing and he’s got nothing to prove.
“I have so much on my plate and in order to continue my legacy, I have to be equipped with every tool. I know that the fans are gonna win on Saturday night. You’re gonna see us back again for a rematch, because this is my moment.
“I’m a warrior. I did what I had to do, and now we’re at this moment. I don’t think Canelo has faced a fighter of my caliber. He’s been in there with great fighters, but there’s something I bring to the table that’s a lot different than anyone he’s seen.
“I defy the science of boxing. I’m one of the guys from the younger era and I’ve been fighting my whole life. What I’ve been through in life, a lot of people can’t compare to that. I deserve to be in my position and now I get to prove my worthiness.
“I’m coming to win this fight, no matter what he says. We shall see Saturday. If he’s motivated to prove to me that he has skills, so be it. I’m coming to win.
“Making history means everything to me. That’s what it’s all about. We’ll come back to these moments later in life and look back and enjoy it. Right now we’re living in the moment and continuing to turn these chapters.
“I’ve backed up everything I’ve said. Right now this is my time and my moment and I’m gonna proceed and take it.”
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