LATIMES.COM/SPORTS D3 Alvarez appears pretty at ease with moving up

Kovalev’s awkward Alvarez vs. weigh-in turns focus Kovalev to opponent’s pursuit of, possibly, Chavez. When: Tonight, 6 By Norm Frauenheim Where: MGM Grand Arena, How to watch: DAZN LAS VEGAS — Weigh- Main event: Canelo ins, like body language, are Alvarez vs. Sergey hard to interpret and often Kovalev, unreliable. Want to predict a light-heavyweights. fight? Get an astrologer. Other fights: Ryan Garcia There are no winners. vs. Romero Duno, But sometimes there are lightweights; Seniesa signs, and there were plenty Estrada vs. Marlen Esparza, flyweights; Blair Friday as Canelo Alvarez Cobbs vs. Carlos Ortiz, and Sergey Kovalev went welterweights. through the formal ritual of Ethan Miller Getty Images stripping down to their CANELO ALVAREZ, left, easily made weight Friday for the WBO light-heavyweight title fight while Sergey shorts and stepping onto a pened at the weigh-in, Alva- Kovalev, who holds the belt, needed four attempts to get down to the limit of 175 pounds. scale in front of a few thou- rez still expects a difficult sand people. task at overcoming Ko- Alvarez looked comfort- valev’s advantages in height able. Kovalev did not. and reach. For the first time, It figured to be the other Alvarez said, he will feel the way around on the eve of power from a fighter who is Who’s hungry? It sure their light-heavyweight fight expected to outweigh him by Saturday night at the MGM at least 10 pounds at opening Grand. Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 bell. ) is moving up two “It will be complicated,” weight classes, from 160 Alvarez said. pounds to 175, for the first But the odds continue to doesn’t look like fans are time. He is moving into a di- favor him in his quest to vision long occupied by Ko- make the history he has valev (34-3-1, 29 KOs). Yet promised. He is seeking a Kovalev struggled to make fourth title at a fourth Alvarez might have overestimated the interest in Kovalev fight weight in a scene that was weight, which would be one part strip tease and alto- more step toward perhaps gether awkward. eventually becoming the DYLAN HERNANDEZ The burden was inher- could be psychologically Derevyanchenko. He was Kovalev needed four trips equal of Julio Cesar Chavez, ited from Floyd Mayweather damaged, as the menacing awarded a close decision, to make weight. The first who ranks as Mexico’s best LAS VEGAS Jr., a great fighter who was aura that made him special but looked his age. The time he stepped onto the ever. — Less than an even greater match- was seemingly extinguished ageless Golovkin became scale, he was a pound too It was no coincidence, half of the maker. The objective of a by a couple of losses to old overnight. heavy at 176. Off came his perhaps, that Chavez seats were fighter is to maximize earn- . Alvarez would have necklace and down went his showed up Friday and occupied in ings while minimizing risk, Ward revealed that Ko- triumphed easily against weight, but by only a half- talked to reporters before the part of the and Mayweather never lost valev was particularly vul- that version of Golovkin. He pound. Off went his shorts the weigh-in. It was also in- MGM Grand sight of that. nerable to body punches, could have been credited as he stepped behind a white evitable that he would be Garden Arena The question is whether which are a specialty of with sending Golovkin towel and back on to the asked whether Alvarez sup- that was open Alvarez did that by selecting Alvarez. toward retirement. scale. Still four ounces too plants him if the 29-year-old Friday after- Kovalev as his opponent. Alvarez has explained Instead, the way in which heavy. takes Kovalev’s belt. noon. The fans who were The lack of enthusiasm that he chose to fight Ko- his rivalry with Golovkin He jumped back into his “Bull...,” Chavez said. there were noticeably lack- around this fight indicates valev because of the oppor- has played out has dimin- shorts and headed back- He was joking. Kind of. ing in enthusiasm. the public is skeptical of tunity to win a world title in ished his reputation. As it stage. He was given an hour “Truthfully, I don’t The crowd was nothing Kovalev’s chances. With a fourth weight class. But was, Alvarez was criticized to shed the excess baggage. know,” he said. “I think Mexi- like the raucous masses in Alvarez moving up two Kovalev wasn’t the only for waiting until Golovkin He needed six minutes. co has had great world front of which Canelo divisions from his optimal fighter who offered him that was 35 to fight him. If he Whatever he did, it worked. champions. The best Mexi- Alvarez typically has fighting weight of 160 chance. There are two other fights Golovkin again and Again, he stepped behind can fighter isn’t based in ti- weighed in on days before pounds, however, Kovalev fighters who hold versions wins, he won’t be seen as the white towel, stepped out tles. There are Mexicans his fights. The fans never has a size advantage that of the light-heavyweight having conquered a long- of his shorts and onto the who have world champi- broke into song, never could present serious prob- championship, Artur Beter- time tormentor, but as scale. Kovalev was at 175, not onships, but that’s not why chanted his name loud lems. biev and . having beaten up a geriatric. an ounce less or more. they will be the best Mexican enough to echo throughout At 5-foot-9, Alvarez is So why did Alvarez pick The failure to detect The fight, without fines fighter of all time.” the venue. three inches shorter than Kovalev? Golovkin’s decline earlier or the loss of his belt, is on Chavez was asked if Alva- The scene was alarming, Kovalev. With this fight Kovalev has the most raises questions about (DAZN, 6 p.m.). But the rez is, in fact, chasing him. considering the significance taking place at 175 pounds, recognizable name, but whether Alvarez shares weigh-in left further ques- “No, no, why would he be of Alvarez’s showdown Alvarez also will be the another factor could be that Mayweather’s ability to tions about whether Ko- talking about me?” he said. against light-heavyweight naturally lighter fighter. Beterbiev and Bivol are perceive barely noticeable valev lost his chances along “... Just because Canelo’s champion Sergey Kovalev. And though he has suc- undefeated. shortcomings in his oppo- with the shorts. Was the fighting right now doesn’t This will be more than a cessfully forced previous Whatever the case, Alva- nents that can be exploited. struggle to make weight a make him the best of all fight. This will be a measure opponents to fight at close rez appears to have erred in The worst-case scenario sign that the 36-year-old time. He could win five or six of Alvarez as a matchmaker. range, it’s possible he never not taking a third fight with is that Alvarez misjudged Russian was fatigued? He world championships, but Whether Alvarez has the gets anywhere near Kova- hated rival Gennady Kovalev. had said that he had more that won’t make him the right feel for deciding whom lev and loses by a wide Golovkin. Streaming service DAZN energy because of a scaled- greatest Mexican fighter of to fight, and when, will have margin. The two most important didn’t invest $350 million in back training, including all time. significant consequences, In which case, Kovalev fights of Alvarez’s career Alvarez for him to lose the fewer rounds of sparring. “He’s a great fighter, but not only for his legacy, but would be a low-reward, were with Golovkin. The third fight of their 10-fight Kovalev, who holds the to say he’s the best of all also for the sport. high-risk opponent, which initial encounter was de- deal. World Organiza- time.... It’s hard to choose As many matches are would make him the worst clared a draw, the second a But the alternative is tion’s version of the 175- one. The champions of the televised or streamed online possible option Alvarez narrow decision victory for also problematic. Even if pound belt, never has been past, Salvador Sanchez, Jo- these days, the sport contin- could have chosen. Alvarez. Alvarez has identified Ko- given much of a chance in se Napoles, [Carlos] Zarate, ues to require major events Then again, maybe Alva- The consensus was that valev’s weaknesses and is this fight. Alvarez, who was Ruben Oliveras, a great to thrive. rez knows something no one neither fighter did enough certain he can take advan- at a comfortable 174½ fighter. Mexico has had a lot Alvarez is about the only else does. Maybe the per- to separate himself from the tage of them, he appears to pounds, is expected to be of great fighters.” active fighter with the pro- ceived danger is an illusion. other. have overestimated the about a 4-1 favorite at open- That’s the historical file necessary to deliver such At 36, Kovalev is phys- Golovkin, now 37, fought public’s appetite for this ing bell. scale. Alvarez is trying to fights. ically diminished. He also last month against Sergiy fight. No matter what hap- move up on that one too. Diaz, Masvidal eager to wage war against each other

fighting for. And no matter 20 months for a chance to UFC 244 combatants for the belt or what. Any time break light-heavyweight you fight me, it’s going to be champion Jon Jones’ record are expected to pose a the best, baddest ... fight (23 years, 8 months, 1 day) fierce challenge in the you’re going to see, with the and be the UFC’s quickest best ... fighters.” crownholder. clash. Diaz, a well-rounded Bra- To jump on the fast track, zilian jujitsu black belt, re- the “Golden Boy” signed By Manouk Akopyan turned to the cage after a with Rousey’s management self-imposed, three-year company and has continued In case Saturday’s sabbatical in August to de- developing his skills under stacked card did not indi- feat in lifetime trainer Edmond cate that UFC 244 is project- Anaheim. Tarverdyan, Rousey’s ing to be a significant show, “I figure he might try to coach. perhaps President Trump’s run out and take me out,” Di- “Ronda’s inspired me to planned visit to watch the az said. “But I’m expecting it believe in myself and work proceedings in person will. all. He’s a strategic fighter, hard for my goals,” Shah- Trump, who’s friendly been around forever and bazyan said. “She’s always with UFC President Dana you’re not just there because been a mentor. It’s cool to White, is slated to witness you’re there.” have a legend like that in my the coronation of the inau- Masvidal, a onetime corner.” gural BMF — an R-rated ac- street fighter who’s coming Shahbazyan’s diminu- ronym and belt — when the off a five-second of tive frame as a 12-year-old temperamental , the fastest in made him an ideal sparring battles on UFC history, is planning to Gregory Payan Associated Press partner for Rousey during ESPN pay-per-view. display another dazzling JORGE MASVIDAL, left, and Nate Diaz engage in a staring contest as executive the climax of her unprece- Dwayne “The Rock” John- performance against Diaz, looks on at a news conference for UFC 244 on Sept. 19 in New York. dented MMA reign, and he’s son will bestow the BMF who’s been knocked out only been in the former champi- strap, which cost $50,000 once in his career. Gastelum, who is returning who was born in sport as a preteen, wants a on’s ear ever since. just to make, immediately “The only thing I’m try- from a loss in a fight of the and lives and trains in Glen- statement win against He even has a propensity after the main event fight at ing to do is take this guy out year front-runner against dale. Tavares (17-5) to carve a for fast fights, just like in of consciousness for a while,” since-turned champion Is- The Armenian fighter path at his own shot at his- Rousey. New York. Masvidal said. “I just want to rael Adesanya. and UFC’s No. 13 ranked tory. Shahbazyan, a graduate Neither of the fierce turn the lights off on some- Rounding out the PPV will take on “I’m improving with ev- of the Los Angeles fight headliners sports a pristine body, and that’s all I want to part of the event will be the toughest test of his ery fight and plan to put on a scene, sports nine first- record, but Diaz (21-11), a do. That’s the only way to Stephen Thompson versus young career in Brad show and get the victory round finishes, with five longtime fan favorite and create headlines in my sport , Derrick Lew- Tavares as he looks to make against Brad,” Shahbazyan wins coming inside one min- former conqueror of Conor and get the biggest pay- is versus and a mark in the sport and said. “I’m motivated, hun- ute. McGregor, and Masvidal checks possible. That’s my versus Gregor prove his promise as an elite gry, prepared and it’s going “We knew early on this (34-13), a resurrected fighter, job. That’s entertainment. Gillespie. up-and-comer. to be an amazing night. I kid has what it takes to guarantee to wage a war in That’s the only way I can get The preliminary portion Shahbazyan (10-0), who’s want to build myself to top- be a great champion,” the cage. the bills paid.” and broadcast on ESPN2 trained out of the Glendale contender status and then Tarverdyan said. “He’s ma- “This is the best fighter in The co-headlining bout will feature Edmen Shah- Fighting Club alongside the youngest champion in ture and has dedication and the game right here,” Diaz will feature bazyan, an undefeated, 21- stablemate UFC history.” heart, and he’s only getting said. “So that’s the one I’m and Kelvin year-old touted phenom ever since he picked up the Shahbazyan still has over better day by day.”