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Top Trainers Preview Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo
Undisputed Super Middleweight Title Clash
Four of the top trainers in the sport, Ronnie Shields, Bob
Santos, Calvin Ford and Robert Garcia, offered their
insights and analysis of the upcoming historic showdown
between Undisputed Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo
Álvarez and Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion
Jermell Charlo during a virtual media roundtable on
Wednesday.
Canelo vs. Charlo headlines a SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday,
September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo
Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions
Pay-Per-View.
Here is what the trainers had to say Wednesday, including
their predictions for the super fight:
RONNIE SHIELDS, Trainer of Jermall Charlo, former Trainer
of Jermell Charlo, Erislandy Lara and more
“This is a big opportunity for Jermell and one that I know
he’s not gonna take lightly, He’s gonna do everything in his
power to come out victorious. That’s what he does. He wants
to be the best, all the time.
“From his last two showings, Canelo has said he has
injuries. Now he wants to prove that he hasn’t lost a step.
He’s a competitor. He wants his people to stay behind him,
so I think he actually comes into the fight in the best
shape he’s been in in a long time.
Charlo is one of the few fighters who holds his power
throughout the whole fight. You don’t get too many of those,
but Canelo is also able to do that. It really makes this a
great fight.
“Charlo has to make sure he wins rounds convincingly. You
won’t win close rounds against Canelo. You have to keep
pushing. Canelo has great defense, so Charlo has to be in
great shape and push from beginning to end.
“You don’t see a lot of fighters go to Canelo’s body,
because it’s hard to get close enough to do it. He’ll have
to come up with a scheme to get into that position.
“I think Jermell Charlo wins this fight by split-decision.”
BOB SANTOS, 2022 Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year, Trainer
of Mario Barrios, Hector Luis Garcia and more
“This is gonna be a very competitive fight. People are
talking about Canelo being the bigger guy but I’ve been
around both fighters quite a bit and I think people are
missing that Charlo is a big guy. He might be naturally the
bigger guy. Canelo has built his body up over time.
“It’s gonna come down to who wants it more and who can
implement their game plan. I think Canelo is more
comfortable in these kinds of fights, but I know that Charlo
won’t have a problem with the size.
“I think Canelo has a chip on his shoulder. I take the John
Ryder fight with a grain of salt, because no matter what
guys say, it’s hard to get motivated sometimes when you’re
not fighting elite guys. When you fight elite guys, you know
your career is on the line. Canelo knows what kind of
dangerous opponent Jermell Charlo is. I’m expecting the best
Canelo for this fight.
“I think somebody is getting stopped. I’m not gonna say who,
but I think it’ll come down to whoever capitalizes on the
mistakes that their opponent makes.
“I could see either guy capitalizing in this fight. It
wouldn’t surprise me if either guy stopped the other. I
think Canelo probably wins, but I like how Charlo punches
short and direct. I could see him catching Canelo with some
of those straight shots.
“I won’t be surprised if Charlo wins, but I’m 55-45 leaning
towards Canelo. I really think somebody is getting knocked
out.”
CALVIN FORD, Trainer for Five-Time World Champion Gervonta
Davis
“Canelo is changing up some things and going back to what
got him here. For Charlo, this is a fight that he’s been
asking for. He’s very motivated and that mentality will be
important in this fight.
“Both guys have chips on their shoulders. Charlo knows the
statement he can make with a win. Canelo is on the throne
right now, and he doesn’t wanna get knocked off. These guys
can both punch. We’ll see who executes their game plan. This
fight could be a real roller coaster ride.
“Charlo has nothing to lose. If he goes in there with that
attitude, then he can be victorious. Canelo is that guy
right now and he’s changed his camp, so I know he’s taking
this fight really seriously.
“Canelo’s defense is strong, so Charlo really needs to stay
on him. Somebody has to take a chance, and that’s where
we’ll see the knockout.
“Somebody is going to sleep. I don’t know which one, but
someone is going to sleep.”
ROBERT GARCIA, 2011 Ring Magazine and 2012 BWAA Trainer of
the Year, former Trainer of Mikey Garcia, Abner Mares and
more
“I can’t wait for this fight. It’s gonna be one of those
challenges that Canelo will need to be in top shape for. The
size won’t matter. I’m pretty sure when it comes to fight
night, they’ll be around the same weight. It’s gonna be very
competitive and I can’t wait.
“Everyone says that Canelo is one of the hardest working
fighters they’ve ever seen. But Canelo hasn’t looked that
good his last couple of fights. That is a reason to give
Charlo a really good chance. Charlo is not gonna hold back.
“You can train to the best of your abilities, but sometimes
your body just doesn’t respond as well. Canelo may be
training as hard as ever, but he’s had 18 years as a
professional fighter. I still pick him to win the fight, but
I don’t think it’s gonna be easy.
“Boxing needs these kinds of fights and I’m so glad we’ve
had a lot of them recently. It’s been such a great year and
it’s just getting better and better.
“If Charlo wins this fight, I think he’d be number two
pound-for-pound after Terence Crawford. I think it’s that
big of a fight.
“This is a tough one to pick. If Canelo wins by knockout, I
think it’s under eight rounds. Late rounds is where Charlo
could actually stop Canelo. If it goes the distance, I think
Canelo edges a decision.”
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