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The official outcome of Canelo Alvarez’s last fight against a championship-caliber, technically sound southpaw caused controversy.
Alvarez edged Erislandy Lara by split decision in July 2014, but one judge, countless fans and some media members believe Lara did enough to beat Alvarez that night. Nearly seven years later, Alvarez will encounter an elite-level, left-handed technician, Billy Joe Saunders, on Saturday night for the first time since he battled Lara in a 12-round junior middleweight match at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
James Kirkland, who is considered much more puncher than boxer, is the only southpaw Alvarez has faced since his fight with Lara. Alvarez knocked Kirkland unconscious in the third round of their May 2015 bout at Minute Maid Park in Houston, yet the four-division champion realizes Saunders will be much more difficult to find than Kirkland.
Alvarez also is convinced, however, that Saunders will face a much-improved fighter than the developing 23-year-old contender Lara boxed.
“I’m a completely different fighter from then, from six or seven years ago,” Alvarez said during a recent conference call. “I have more strength. I’m more mature. I’m more experienced. I’ve learned day by day, and I think I have shown this throughout my career.”
Judges Levi Martinez (117-111) and Dave Moretti (115-113) scored Alvarez a winner over Lara, who won 115-113 on the scorecard of judge Jerry Roth. Cuba’s Lara (28-3-3, 16 KOs) has long criticized Alvarez for not giving him a rematch.
Alvarez sent Kirkland (34-3, 30 KOs), of Austin, Texas, to the canvas once in the first round and twice in the third round of his following fight. A devastating right hand by Alvarez knocked Kirkland cold.
The 30-year-old Alvarez has gone 10-0-1, all against right-handed opponents, since his victory over Kirkland almost six years ago. He admits the simple fact that Saunders fights from a southpaw stance could make this fight more difficult than most.
“The fact that he’s a lefty, for starters, I think that makes him more complicated,” Alvarez said. “His legwork is great. He’s a really good fighter.”
Alvarez (55-1-2, 37 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico, and Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs), of Manchester, England, will fight for Alvarez’s WBA and WBC super middleweight titles and Saunders’ WBO belt. Their 12-round, 168-pound championship unification fight will headline a card DAZN will stream from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (8 p.m. ET).
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.