Few fight fans are expecting a competitive match when the WBC’s mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim faces unified 168lbs champion Canelo Alvarez at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on February 27.
WBC and WBA ‘Super’ champion Canelo is a huge 1/50 favourite with BetFred with a Yildirim miracle priced at 12-1 and the Mexican star already has a clash with rival WBO title holder Billy Joe Saunders pencilled in for May 8.
But the Yildirim camp is quietly relishing the underdog role with the Turkish challenger’s respected trainer Joel Diaz insisting his man can give Canelo an uncomfortable night after a rapid improvement in training camp.
“He’s very intelligent, very hard working, focused, learns very well. He’s a totally different fighter now,” Diaz told journalist George Ebro. “When we [first] talked about fighting Canelo he was in Germany, but since the borders are closed and time has passed, his manager told me Avni needed me and I went to Turkey to meet him in Istanbul and now we are in Antalya, where we have it all. He just wanted to train with me.
“We know it’s a very difficult task, but nothing is impossible if we have the confidence, the work and the strategy. So, let’s keep working hard until the day comes to give fans what they want to see, a good fight. I have to prepare my fighter as best as possible to face him.
“Everyone wants to know what the attack plan is, but there are coaches who notice everything you do. I won’t provide the plan of attack. I’m just telling you, the fight isn’t going to be easy for Canelo, whom I admire. I’m his fan, but I do analysis and then make a smart plan, a good strategy and good training to face the best fighter of this era.
“Avni is strong-minded. He’s got a big heart and he’s got balls. He’s going in with the intention of knocking Canelo’s head off. If your fighter has courage, stamina, power and has positive psychology, there’s nothing to stop him. If that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t be here. I’m not going to go make a fool of myself.”