Welcome to a new weekly feature that looks at the big stories of the fight weekend ahead.
The Cinnamon Kid v The Krusher
This Saturday (2nd Nov) in Las Vegas sees Mexico’s latest boxing megastar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 52-1-2 (35 KO’s) challenge Russia’s Sergey Kovalev 34-3-1 (29 KO’s) for his WBO Light Heavyweight (12st 7lb) title.
Nicknamed ‘Canelo’ for his cinnamon coloured hair, Alvarez is the biggest draw in boxing at the present time; able to earn millions of dollars per fight, pack out arenas and sell shedloads of pay per view (box office) across the US, Mexico and worldwide. Kovalev on the other hand is a ‘blue collar’ elite fighter from the Russian outpost of Chelyabinsk.
Both fighters, although from very different parts of the world, have come up the hard way. One from the barrios of Guadalajara, competing and fighting in the Mexican style, the other from the harsh eastern bloc showing the archetypal technical skills and competitive excellence.
Kovalev has been defeated in world title fights on three occasions (twice to Andre Ward), and Canelo (the current Ring magazine Middleweight champion) experienced just one defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jnr, although arguably also to Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin in their first fight.
What can we expect ? Canelo is attempting something few fighters have achieved, to capture a title two divisions up from his more natural 11st 6lb weight. Look to see him utilising his speed and mobility, but also mixing it on the inside. Kovalev will either go looking for Canelo from the opening bell, or more likely adopt a cautious approach in the opening rounds, using his superior weight and power deeper into the fight. Age may also be a key factor, Canelo at 29 and Kovalev 36, but this should only be down the stretch in the championship rounds (10-12).
Look for the Mexican to win a competitive fight on a unanimous decision.
Crolla’s curtain call
In Manchester, England the hometown hero and former WBA lightweight champion Anthony ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla 34-7-3 (13 KO’s) will bring an end to his highly successful career against Peruvian-Spaniard Frank Urquiaga 13-1-1 (1).
The extremely likeable Crolla has fought the best in Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko and providing his emotion is contained should prove too much for his opponent.
On the same Matchroom Boxing promotion, broadcast live on Sky Sports and DAZN, female world champion and Irish legend Katie Taylor will attempt to capture a world title at a second weight. She challenges Christina Linardatou at 140lb for the WBO super-lightweight title in what should be an excellent match.
The Undisputed 