Canelo Alvarez out to prove naysayers wrong

It started last year. Was Canelo Alvarez declining?

The “it” was chatter.

Alvarez fights Jermell Charlo this Saturday in Las Vegas.

The chatter has become commonplace.

“I give Charlo a big chance because Canelo hasn’t looked that good in his [recent] fights,” said Robert Garcia in an article by Keith Idec of www.boxingscene.com.

Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr., who fought Alvarez 10 years ago, told FightHype.com, “But now everyone is saying he’s not the same fighter anymore,” and it’s true. He doesn’t look the same.”

“I’ve always said that he’s on the decline, especially after the Bivol loss,” said Oscar De La Hoya. “This [performance against Ryder] reconfirmed my thought process.”

Dmitry Bivol and John Ryder. Alvarez’s most recent fight and his second loss as a professional fighter.

Even Ryder said after their bout in May that Alvarez was “not at his best.”

Alvarez has heard the chatter.

“We’ll see if it’s true that I’ve lost a step,” said Alvarez last month at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. “I didn’t look my best in my last two fights, but I know why, and I’m ready for this fight. “We’ll see what happens. We’re going to see something different.”

That’s motivation. Losing to Bivol was no disgrace and hardly a fluke. The Ryder fight was odd, as Alvarez floored the Brit, but ate more punches than usual.

Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) has something to prove. I expect him to look much sharper this Saturday.

Added Alvarez, “I still feel young, fresh, and I never think about the end of my career.”

Challenger Charlo(35-1-1, 19 KOs) is on a mission.

“Canelo is coming to bounce back from anything people are doubting him,” Charlo told Ray Flores and WWE wrestler Booker T during a virtual media workout Monday in Houston.

“I’m coming to put on, shake the doubters off, and show the world why I was put into this position,” added Charlo.

Charlo knocked out Brian Castano to unify the junior middleweight (154) division. The Alvarez fight is at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds.

“I’m just a naturally big motherf*****,” Charlo told the Million Dollaz worth podcast.

“I’m not a little guy. The world of boxing only sees me when I weigh in. “They don’t know my real size. I’m six feet [tall]. They don’t know I can fill out and beat a naturally bigger guy in that ring.”

Many boxing insiders are picking Charlo. He’s live for sure and not a 4-1 underdog.

Alvarez looks inspired. I expect him to rise to the occasion. Charlo gets it. He understands.

“It’s not just by coincidence that I got here,” said Charlo, stating the obvious. “Now it’s my time to really, really, really show what I’m made of.”

Alvarez is also using disrespect for motivation.

“He’s said a lot of things. He never believed in my skills, but he’s going to find out soon,” said Alvarez during an interview conducted by Premier Boxing Champions.

Charlo is the bigger man, while Alvarez has an advantage in big fights.

Alvarez hits harder, but Charlo is more athletic. I expect a competitive fight.

The edge goes to Alvarez.