Trainer Eddy Reynoso has defended his boxer Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 54-1-2 (36) for facing Avni Yildirim 21-2 (12) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on Saturday night.
WBA and WBC super middleweight champion Alvarez, 30, has stated his aim this year is to unify the division and the first step in achieving that goal is getting his WBC mandatory title defence against Turkey’s Yildirim out of the way.
“It’s a fight that’s mandatory. Therefore, we have to do that fight and then focus our attention on [WBO titleholder] BJ Saunders,” Reynoso said to Little Giant Boxing.
“Canelo is on the level where he has to impose. I wouldn’t say easy because each fight is different. We did a tremendous job in camp. Yes, these are the most dangerous fights because we have nothing to win and a lot to lose.
“The biggest tragedies in sports are these types of fights. For example, there’s Frankie Randall vs Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. There are fighters that have lost 10-round tune-up fights.
“It’s challenging to say you have an easy fight. Sometimes the fight you think is going to be hard turns out to be the easiest and vice versa. We’re not overconfident. We’re working hard as always.”
The plan is for Alvarez to face WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders 30-0 (14) on Cinco de Mayo before moving on to IBF boss Caleb Plant 21-0 (12) in September.
“Those are the goals we put on ourselves last year. It’s a project we have, which is to make Canelo the first Mexican to unify all the titles,” Reynoso continued.
“Be on the shortlist of fighters to do that and be the first fighter to unify all the titles at 168. They are projects that we know will cost us, but that’s why we’re working.
“We have the fight lined up with Saunders [in May]. But first, we have to beat Yildirim and then look for the Caleb Plant fight.”
Mexican superstar Alvarez spoke about his ambitions last week.
“It’s important for me and Eddy because very few people have achieved becoming undisputed champions,” said Canelo. “And that’s a short-term goal for us. To win all the titles at 168 pounds.
“Obviously, no Mexican has ever done it. So that’s our short-term goal, to keep making history. And that’s what we want. Eddy and I have always wanted the best. And we want to keep making history.
“I think it’s important, not just for me, but for all fighters. To make history in boxing is very important, I think. It’s very important to me to leave behind a legacy in this sport. And that’s why we’re doing this. To keep making history and so when people talk about boxing, they always remember me.”
All talk of unification could be derailed if Yildirim, 29, can spring the upset on his old sparring partner.
“Yes, he was helping us out for two weeks,” Reynoso admitted.
“He’s a strong fighter with nice power. He’s brave, he’s young, and he hasn’t taken punishment. He has an opportunity of a lifetime, and he’s not going to let it go to waste.”
