Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will defend his WBC light middleweight title on Saturday night against Josesito Lopez. It's the fifth championship defense for Alvarez. The last came when he defeated Shane Mosley in May by unanimous decision.
The undefeated rising star enters the fight as a heavy favorite. Prior to upsetting Victor Ortiz, Lopez lost to Jessie Vargas, which would suggest he's not prepared to knock off an elite fighter like Alvarez unless he significantly elevates his game.
It's an important bout for Alvarez because he's finally starting to receive the recognition he deserves for his terrific run. He doesn't want to suffer a setback now. The 22-year-old Mexican star has won 29 of his 41 fights by knockout.
Let's take a look at all the key information for Saturday's clash, followed by keys to victory for each boxer and a prediction for who will walk away with the light middleweight title.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
When: Saturday, Sept. 15 at 9 p.m. ET
Watch: Showtime
Live Stream: Showtime Anytime
Alvarez's Keys to Victory
The most important thing for Alvarez is using his power effectively. It's one area where he holds a sizable advantage over Lopez. He should be able to wear him down with combinations in the early rounds, leaving him vulnerable for a knockout later on.
After establishing an early edge with his power, Alvarez has to make sure the fight remains at his pace. He doesn't want to fall into the same trap Ortiz did and allow Lopez to find a comfort zone with a more up-tempo approach.
Alvarez is a big favorite for a reason. As long as he remembers that and sticks to his strengths, he should have no trouble picking up the victory. He can't let his guard down, though, because Lopez already showed he's capable of excelling on a big stage.
Lopez's Keys to Victory
Just like in the Ortiz fight, nobody expects Lopez to win on Saturday. He's viewed as nothing more than a stepping stone for Alvarez, and he needs to use that as motivation. The underdog attitude makes a fighter far more dangerous because he has nothing to lose.
Aside from his mental approach, the most crucial in-fight tactic for Lopez will be using his agility. He won't be able to stand toe to toe with Alvarez and throw haymakers. He needs to use his quickness and counterattacks to keep Alvarez off balance.
Lopez should be riding high after pulling off a stunner against Ortiz. In order to pull off another one, he'll need to take advantage of every opportunity he's given by Alvarez.
There won't be many. It will take a near perfect performance for him to win the belt.
What They Are Saying
The most important thing for Alvarez is using his power effectively. It's one area where he holds a sizable advantage over Lopez. He should be able to wear him down with combinations in the early rounds, leaving him vulnerable for a knockout later on.
After establishing an early edge with his power, Alvarez has to make sure the fight remains at his pace. He doesn't want to fall into the same trap Ortiz did and allow Lopez to find a comfort zone with a more up-tempo approach.
Alvarez is a big favorite for a reason. As long as he remembers that and sticks to his strengths, he should have no trouble picking up the victory. He can't let his guard down, though, because Lopez already showed he's capable of excelling on a big stage.
Lopez's Keys to Victory
Just like in the Ortiz fight, nobody expects Lopez to win on Saturday. He's viewed as nothing more than a stepping stone for Alvarez, and he needs to use that as motivation. The underdog attitude makes a fighter far more dangerous because he has nothing to lose.
Aside from his mental approach, the most crucial in-fight tactic for Lopez will be using his agility. He won't be able to stand toe to toe with Alvarez and throw haymakers. He needs to use his quickness and counterattacks to keep Alvarez off balance.
Lopez should be riding high after pulling off a stunner against Ortiz. In order to pull off another one, he'll need to take advantage of every opportunity he's given by Alvarez.
There won't be many. It will take a near perfect performance for him to win the belt.
What They Are Saying
Alvarez insists he's not overconfident despite being the heavy favorite and believes his preparation will help put him over the top, according to a report from BoxingNews24.com:
"He’s a very smart fighter. He’s a good fighter, very smart. He’s got very, very good combinations so I think he’s a very good fighter. And no, I’m never overconfident. I’ve prepared very well. I never, you know, think that any fighter’s are going to be an easy fight. So I’m not overconfident and I’m very, very well prepared for this fight."
ESPN's Dan Rafael reports that one area where Lopez isn't lacking is confidence, because the challenger knows it's going to take an elite effort in order to knock off Alvarez:
"This is an opportunity that we're taking against one of the best fighters out there, but a fighter that we feel that we can beat. I know I have to fight the fight of my life, but I'm prepared to fight the fight of my life."
Prediction
"He’s a very smart fighter. He’s a good fighter, very smart. He’s got very, very good combinations so I think he’s a very good fighter. And no, I’m never overconfident. I’ve prepared very well. I never, you know, think that any fighter’s are going to be an easy fight. So I’m not overconfident and I’m very, very well prepared for this fight."
ESPN's Dan Rafael reports that one area where Lopez isn't lacking is confidence, because the challenger knows it's going to take an elite effort in order to knock off Alvarez:
"This is an opportunity that we're taking against one of the best fighters out there, but a fighter that we feel that we can beat. I know I have to fight the fight of my life, but I'm prepared to fight the fight of my life."
Prediction
I think Lopez will turn Saturday's fight into a better battle than most people are expecting. He's feeling good about himself after the victory over Ortiz and is once again in a position where he can approach the fight free from pressure.
Ultimately, however, Alvarez simply has too much power. He'll use it to keep Lopez on the defensive before eventually picking up a knockout in the second half of the fight, remaining undefeated and retaining the belt in the process.
Alvarez by KO in the eighth round.
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