Canelo Alvarez is promising a torrid night for American rival Caleb Plant when they lock horns for the undisputed super-middleweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on November 6.
All four major 168lbs belts will be on the line as Mexican star Canelo seeks to become the first man to completely unify the titles at super-middleweight in the four-belt era and the only Mexican to hold that distinction at any weight.
For WBC, WBA Super and WBO champion Canelo the bout has become personal after Nashville’s IBF king Plant insulted him and the duo threw blows at the press launch to announce the fight in September. Now the contest carries a personal edge and Canelo is aching to prove his supremacy in the prize ring.
“I hope he has a good chin because he’s going to need it on fight night,” said a steely Canelo. “I’m always ready. I just can’t wait. I feel strong and fast. With all of the talk, it’s become personal. He crossed a line. But I have to remain focused, because this is a very important fight for me.
“Caleb has good boxing skills. He has good movement and a good jab. But it’s nothing new for me. I know what I need to do. I need to be patient in the early rounds and then start doing my job. I’m 100% focused on this fight. There’s nothing else crossing my mind. After it’s over, we’ll figure out who the next opponent will be.
“Being the undisputed champion is huge for my legacy. Not only would it be an honour to be the first Latin American fighter to do it, but there’s only a select club of fighters who have achieved this. [Trainer/manager] Eddy [Reynoso] and I said in the beginning that the goal was to be undisputed, and now we’re one fight away.
“Everyone knows what I’m going to do in the ring. When something is personal with me, it’s different. I have something special in my mind and I’m going to make it a great night for us.”
Main image: Matchroom Boxing.