CANELO ALVAREZ is on the cusp of his most blockbuster bout of all – but no fight was more important than his first-ever against a bully.
The Mexican superstar faces unbeaten American Terence Crawford at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
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Canelo has been the face of boxing for approaching a decade now – with world titles in four weight classes and over £500MILLION in the bank.
But his passion for fighting was actually discovered on the soccer pitch – when a bully punched the future boxing legend in the face.
Canelo responded with a right hand – the first of many he would throw down the years – and in that moment his life changed forever.
“The most important and the most exciting,” Canelo said when asked about the significance of the schoolyard scuffle.
“There is when I realized my dreams. I want to be a champion and this is what I want for my life.”
Canelo – which translates to cinnamon in Spanish – stood out because of his ginger hair and freckles – forced to defend himself from insults.
He was fighting to prove a point then – and three decades later nothing has changed.
Now he looks to prove he is better than pound-for-pound star Crawford – but for no one else other than himself.
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CANELO VS CRAWFORD: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY
“I don’t try to prove anybody if they are wrong or not,” he said. “I always try to prove myself that I’m the best.”
Canelo has won titles from the 154lb super-welterweight division all the way up to light-heavyweight at 175lb.
And now he puts his undisputed 168lb super-middleweight throne and reputation on the line against Crawford – who started his career at 135lb.
Crawford has never fought above the 154lb limit and jumps TWO divisions to challenge Canelo – who says this is his biggest bout of his career.
“It means a lot, this fight is big. It means a lot this fight for my legacy,” he said.
“Two of the best, anything can happen. But I come to win and this fight means a lot. I’m going to use all my advantages in the ring
“I’m looking at my biggest fight, my biggest opponent.”
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