Still Learning: Canelo plans on delivering another lesson
By Norm Frauenheim-
Canelo Alvarez’ evolution continues, proceeding incrementally with stubborn attention to detail. He never quits learning, which helps to explain why he never quits improving.
It also explains why he’s a 7-to-1 favorite over unbeaten Billy Joe Saunders Saturday (DAZN/8 pm ET, 5 pm PT) in a bid to win another piece of the super-middleweight title on the Dallas Cowboys homefield in Arlington, Tex.
A few years ago, those odds wouldn’t have been so one-sided. Then, Canelo (55-1-2, 37 KOs) looked to be vulnerable to the slick sort of skillset possessed by the left-handed Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs).
There were moments when Canelo looked confused in a unanimous decision over Austin Trout in 2013. About a year later, he escaped with a split-decision over Erislandy Lara. In between Trout and Lara, there was a one-sided loss delivered by the masterful Floyd Mayweather Jr. Lessons, each and every one, for the student in Canelo.
His career has unfolded like one long lesson-plan. Potential for some new move or tactic is always there. For Saunders, it’s reason to be wary. For everybody else, it’s something to respect. Canelo learns and never forgets.
He introduced some head movement a few fights ago. Now, he has begun to master the head games that precede any significant fight. In terms of public interest, Canelo-Saunders looks to be a biggie.
A crowd of more than 60,000 is projected, which would break the Texas-sized record of 59,995 at San Antonio’s Alamodome for the controversial Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez draw in September 1993.
For the last week, it’s been evident that Saunders has tried to distract Canelo. That’s hard to do. In the eight years since Mayweather, only Gennadiy Golovkin has managed to rattle the impenetrable calm that seems to surround Canelo like a fortress. There were words at news conferences and shoving at the weigh-in before their 2018 rematch.
Saunders tried to land a psychological punch. He and his father, Tom Saunders, issued a series of complaints. They grumbled that Eddie Hearn, Saunders longtime promoter, was favoring Canelo. They complained about the assignment of judges. Not one is from the UK, Saunders’ home country. Not one is from Mexico, Canelo’s home country, either.
On and on, it went.
Finally, Saunders complained about the size of the ring, saying he wouldn’t fight in one measuring 18-feet-by-18 feet. Hearn said he assured him that the ring would be 20-by-20. Saunders, who might need every available inch of canvas to elude Canelo, demanded 24-by-24. He and his dad also threatened to withdraw if the demand wasn’t met. Hearn countered: How about 22-by-22? OK, Saunders said. But this tale of the tape still needed Canelo’s approval.
No problem, Canelo said.
From a man known for his lethal counter-punching, it was brilliant. Ring size wasn’t ever the real issue, anyway. Guess here: This fight could be in a ring as big as an aircraft carrier. Canelo will beat Saunders.
In a fight before the fight, Canelo ended the head games, quickly and quietly, this time with some smart head movement.
He disarmed Saunders, who was left with nothing else to say. It looks as if Canelo’s life-long lesson plan included a course in psychology. He aced that one too.