With little to no national fanfare, Canelo Alvarez will look to become the fourth fighter to win a junior middleweight world title and one at light heavyweight. The only other fighters to accomplish this feat are Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, and Mike McCallum. All three fighters are in the Hall of Fame.
Sergey Kovalev is standing in the way of Canelo making history. The question is, at this point of his career, how much resistance can Kovalev provide? If you believe the odds makers, the answer is not much. Canelo is a heavy favorite (-500). The fight is a win-win for Canelo. He can make history by beating a fighter that most fans are familiar with, even though, it can be argued that said fighter is on the backside of his career. This also will put the questions of a Canelo-Gennady Golovkin trilogy on hold.
It’s hard to see how Kovalev can go the distance with Canelo nevertheless win. Canelo will have the speed advantage along with being a much better technical fighter. Most reports say, Canelo will go to Kovalev’s body early and often. If he’s successful at this, expect a stoppage by the 8th or 9th round. Defensively, Canelo’s movement, both head and feet, makes you wonder how Kovalev will land anything of significance. Kovalev will have to find a way to cut off the ring and corner Canelo. Something most cannot see happening.
Prediction: Canelo TKO in 10th round
