Fighting during the weekend closest to May 5 is a sweet tradition for Saúl Álvarez (57-1-2, 39 KO), who tonight wants to extend his unbeaten record on this date, against Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11 K.O.). Tonight will be Canelo’s eighth fight in this, one of the two most important celebrations for Mexicans in the United States, and so far he has marched immaculately.
“I am proud to represent my country and I am very excited,” says Canelo, before the hubbub of the almost two thousand people who witness the weigh-in prior to today’s contest at the T-Mobile Arena.
José Miguel Cotto (2010), Shane Mosley (2012), James Kirkland (2015), Amir Khan (2016), Julio César Chávez Jr. (2017), Daniel Jacobs (2019) and Billy Joe Saunders (2021) have been his victims in this tricolor weekend.
Bivol, who holds the World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight belt, is aware that he is not the favorite, that he could enter that list, but —from the outset— he tries to smooth things over with the Mexican fans, who today will be overwhelming majority.
“I know that the Mexican fans are against me, but Happy May 5th!” exclaims the Russian, causing the boos to become more intense. “I am here facing your champion and defending my crown… I hope to put on a great fight.”
Which would allow him to surprise, because today will be one of those extraordinary cases in boxing in which the challenger starts as the favorite.
The world’s best pound-for-pound wants to keep up his pace over the weekend of May 5, and Bivol is the only thing standing between him.
El Canelo wants it to be another night dyed green, white and red in the City of Sin.
