Canelo: It’s incredible how things can change in one year

By Miguel Maravilla

WBC, WBA middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs)) from Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico has been a busy man making headlines in the last couple of days. A week that began in Mexico City as he was presented his WBC middleweight title in a ceremony. Hitting the Big Apple New York on Tuesday and Wednesday to promote his upcoming fight with WBA world super middleweight champion Rocky Fielding (27-1, 15 KOs) of England. Alvarez will square off against Fielding on December 15 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Canelo continued his busy week Thursday evening with a ceremonial presentation of the Ring Magazine belt in LA. Alvarez talked about his upcoming fight with Fielding.

“It has been a busy week but this is a dream come true. This goes to show that with discipline and hard work, look how far you can get,” Canelo told Fightnews.com®.The biggest news, however, was Canelo’s lucrative deal he signed with DAZN as the Mexican superstar signed a five-year, 11-fight, $365 million deal. Canelo signed the richest athlete contract in sports history Wednesday night by signing with DAZN.

“There are no words to describe this. I’m so happy,” Canelo said about his deal. “I am humbled to be to lead this new vision for the sport of boxing, which will without a doubt be for the benefit of the fans,” Canelo added.

With that said, Canelo-Rocky Fielding will be streamed on DAZN. A live on-demand streaming service that is on the rise as fans will be able to watch Canelo’s fights on their Smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, game consoles and PCs for $9.99 per month. DAZN is currently offering a one-month free trial.

“To be able to give great fights for less money and for the people to watch fights at a low cost, this is what the fans need,” Canelo on fighting on DAZN

“We are committed to making this sport as accessible as possible and at an affordable price for all the fans. My dream has been to make boxing a sport for all. DAZN has the perfect platform to make this dream come true,” Canelo’s promoter and Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya said.

In wake of Canelo’s lucrative deal, semi-retired former pound for pound king and former highest paid athlete Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. wasn’t too pleased on being surpassed as the highest paid athlete, blasting Canelo, calling him a cheater and Oscar on social media. Mayweather defeated Alvarez in September of 2013 by decision. When asked about Mayweather’s remarks on social media, Canelo replied.

“I think he is mad because I surpassed him in that category. I’m not afraid to fight him. If he wants a rematch he knows what to do,” Canelo said about Mayweather.

Coming off the biggest win of his career, Canelo proved everyone wrong including myself by going toe to toe and edging out Gennady “GGG” Golovkin in their anticipated rematch this past September. In what was a definite candidate for fight of the year, Canelo suffered a bad cut in going to battle. With the win, Alvarez captured the WBC, WBA, and Ring Magazine titles. Following the fight there was some doubts and speculation on Canelo returning later this year.

“I have to say it was one of my most proudest moments coming out with the victory, I had a lot to prove,” Canelo on his victory over Golovkin. “My recovery has been great. The cut is recovering,”

Team Canelo will now begin their preparation phase.

“We haven’t started sparring yet, but we will start soon. We will have a great preparation,” Canelo said.

Now Canelo will move up in weight to the take on the Englishman Fielding in attempt to win his third world title in three weight divisions.

“This is a new challenge, to be moving up in weight. This is a risk that I am taking. I’ll take this challenge because that’s what I need to do to make history in my career. I want to be one of the top ten Mexican fighters to become a three-division world champion.”

His opponent Fielding comes into this fight with a six fight win streak since suffering his only defeat to undefeated WBA World Super champ Callum Smith and is coming off a TKO over previously undefeated Tyron Zeuge.

“He’ll be bigger and maybe even stronger than me but we will prepare well and come in with a great strategy,” Canelo said about Fielding.

“We know that Fielding is strong and tough, and he’s coming off a streak of good victories. We know it is a big challenge to be moving up to 168 pounds. He is a strong fighter who is well-schooled in the sport of boxing,” Canelo’s trainer Eddie Reynoso said about Rocky Fielding.

This will be Canelo’s first fight at the Garden as he will be fighting at the “Mecca of Boxing.” The famed venue that has hosted many great memorable fights and legendary fighters.

“I’m happy to be making history by fighting at Madison Square Garden for the first time.” Canelo on fighting at the Garden for the first time.

Just last year following the first with Golovkin, many fans dissed the Mexican superstar and ripped judge Adalaide Byrd for having Alvarez widely ahead on the scorecards in what was a very close competitive fight, claiming conspiracy. It got worst for Canelo, after agreeing to terms for a rematch with Golovkin, one month later he tested positive for a banned substance Clenbuterol. Accusing the champ of cheating, in wake of the positive test. Now the tables have turned as Canelo redeemed himself with the victory and now the highest paid athlete ready to fight in the biggest stage of the world.

“It’s incredible how things can change in one year. See you all December 15th,” Canelo concluded.