Saul Canelo Alvarez will face the seventh Briton of his professional boxing career on Saturday night and have sworn revenge against Billy Joe Saunders as easily as his former compatriots.
The Mexican Canelo will put his WBC and WBA world championships in the super average category at stake at the AT&T stadium in Texas and is a tough favorite to win Saunders' WBO belt.
Arguably the best pound for pound player in the sport, Canelo has fought twice since December and has defeated British fighters such as Callum Smith, Rocky Fielding, Amir Khan and Liam Smith since his only career defeat with Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
"We will see on May 8 if he will be the best opponent I have faced, but it is assumed he is," Canelo said of Saunders. “Yes, he is a warrior who moves a lot, is left-handed, experienced. Apparently, he is one of the toughest opponents I have encountered. "
Meanwhile, Saunders is the undefeated super heavyweight champion and has superstar eyes flapping the 31-year-old at Arlington.
"He has already defeated six Brits," said Saunders. "Unlucky number seven for him, lucky number seven for me." I think it is meant to be. "
Canelo vs Saunders Stats
| Career paths | Canelo Alvarez | Billy Joe Saunders |
| Nationality | Mexican | English |
| Age | 30 (July 18, 1990) | 31 (Aug 30, 1989) |
| Reach | 70.5 inches | 71 inches |
| Record | 54 - 1-2 | 30 - 0-0 |
| The last fight | Defeat Avni Yıldırım (RTD, 3 Rounds) Feb 2021 | Beat Martin Murray (UD) December 2020 |
The tape story doesn't offer much to keep Canelo and Saunders separate, but what can be crucial in the night is the Mexican experience. He has been fighting in front of the mega crowds in the US for years, including his loss to Mayweather at the MGM Grand eight years ago. At the age of 30, Canelo's statistics show that he has an extraordinary experience - and this allowed him to survive the fights with Gennady Golovkin and Callum Smith.
Saunders, however, has a larger frame and has yet to taste a setback in his professional career. The Bailly Joe Saunders album that everyone is talking about could suffer its first blemish on Saturday under the lights of Arlington, which will be Saunders' third ever fight on North American soil.
Saunders was forced to 12 by veteran Martin Murray in December, while Canelo steps into the fray after the demolition of Avni Yıldırım with ease just three months ago.
Alvarez vs Saunders odds
| Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez | - 800 |
| Billy Joe Saunders | + 500 |
Canelo Faces Another Brit
There are fears of Canelo trying to do too much, squeezing th-third title fight for six months. But the Mexican doesn't seem too concerned about Saunders and has instead expressed his determination to remain the best player in the discipline.
“Sometimes we think we're ready to do certain things when we're not. This applies professionally to other areas of life and it happened, but I think I want to be the best fighter in the world, ”he said.
“It still exists. There will always be something that motivates me. Right now I want to win all the titles, but there will always be some motivation after that.
“I love boxing. I love what I do. I always set myself short-term goals and so far I am fully focused on them. "
Saunders: The worst of Lata
While many at home are betting on Saunders to win in Texas, there is no doubt that he is the underdog at +500 despite an unbeaten professional record.
“Two- world weight champion, two-time world champion. Thirty fights, thirty wins. He won every fight in his way, beat all the potential customers, ”Saunders said.
“I think this is going to be the biggest nervousness in boxing history. Certainly in the last 31 years. I think it is meant to be.
“This is going to be the biggest worry in boxing history, I suppose. Certainly in the last 31 years. I believe it is meant to be.
“Victory means absolutely everything to me. More than money, more than fame, more than everything. I want to win this so much it's a joke. "
Latest bets Canelo vs Saunders
Saunders may be undefeated, but boxing betting fans are not exactly on the Englishman's side. Indeed, the latest boxing courses have Saunders at +500 to win this competition. For comparison, Canelo is - 800 to win and get the WBO belt.
It's worth noting that Canelo is also the type to win this fight by knockout, at +110 in boxing courses. Remember that Saunders has never lost a professional fight in his career and has proven to be able to withstand serious blows with the likes of Chris Eubank Jr, Andy Lee, Artur Akavov, and David Lemieux.
However, despite his good performances, Canelo is a class above anyone Saunders has fought against before. Perhaps that's why there's +20,000 to knock out a Mexican - a bet that seems highly unlikely.
Canelo vs Saunders Data
The Canelo vs Saunders fight will take place on Saturday, May 8 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Canelo vs Saunders Start Time
Canelo vs Saunders starts at 20:00 ET (1:00 BST). Undercard includes Elwin Soto vs Katsunari Takayama for the WBO Junior Flyweight Soto title and a heavyweight fight between Frank Sanchez and Nagy Aguilera.
How to watch Canelo vs Saunders on TV and online
Viewers in both the US and UK can watch Canelo vs Saunders on TV and online via DAZN. However, the broadcaster will not show the fight in Canelo's native Mexico.