Eddy Reynoso, manager and trainer of Canelo Alvarez, believes the Mexican star has a worthy foe in Callum Smith though a difference in seasoning and class should tell in their showdown at the Alamodome, San Antonio, on Saturday night.
WBA Super 168lbs champion Smith has a significant, natural size advantage, but Canelo’s pedigree at top level should be a deciding factor in the eyes of Reynoso and most observers.
“The quality that Saul has is beyond any doubt,” Reynoso told ESPN Deportes. “It is true that Callum Smith has been pushing hard in the last two years, in which he has won belts. However, he has never faced fighters on the level that Saul Alvarez has.
“[But] is true that he is a boy who has a lot of technique, strong and brave, so we believe it will be a good fight.”
The 5ft 8ins Canelo has been sparring stablemate and heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez to help prepare for the problems caused by the 6ft 3ins Smith. Reynoso says Alvarez, an astute body-puncher, plans to crowd Smith, rather than be picked off at long range.
“We cannot fight at a distance with Callum Smith, we have to look for the short range,” added Reynoso. “We have already shown that Saúl is very good at that, because many times in his career he has faced these kinds of difficulties and we have done well.”
Main image: Matchroom Boxing USA.