As the clock ticks closer to his upcoming bout, boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez intensifies his preparations. His unified super middleweight championships are on the line, and his challenger is Jermell Charlo. The marquee matchup is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Amid his grueling training with coach Eddy Reynoso, Canelo took a moment to welcome a surprising guest to his camp – legendary footballer Hugo Sanchez. Known affectionately as Pentapichichi to his fans, Sanchez journeyed to the United States, visiting the gym where Canelo was gearing up for his defense.
Their meeting wasn’t just a casual chat. Sanchez brought with him a significant memento: an official Real Madrid jersey. Given his status as a revered figure of the football giant, the jersey represented more than just a team’s colors. To further personalize this cherished gift, Sanchez penned a heartfelt message and autographed the shirt.
Evidently touched by the gesture, Canelo promptly shared this special moment on social media, posting a photo of them together, jersey in hand. His caption read, “An honor to have you with us legend. Thanks for the detail. Hugo Sanchez.”
While boxing is Canelo’s world, he has occasionally been seen donning soccer jerseys, notably from Chivas and Atlas. This underlines a subtle admiration for the sport.
Charlo’s challenge: more than meets the eye
The boxing community is abuzz with discussions surrounding the upcoming fight. Charlo, a reigning champion in the super welterweight division, holds belts from esteemed bodies like the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF. His decision to challenge Canelo at 168 pounds is seen by many as a significant leap, spanning two weight categories.
For some analysts, this weight difference might present an advantage for Canelo. But Charlo’s camp thinks differently. His trainer, Robert Garcia, is unwavering in his confidence. He asserted that Charlo is not only fit for the challenge but might even have a size advantage.
Speaking to Fight Hub, Garcia laid out his thoughts: “It’s going to be one of those challenges where Canelo has to be in his best shape. We know that Jermell Charlo is moving up two divisions, but he is not a smaller fighter, maybe even bigger than Canelo.”
As the anticipation mounts, one thing is clear: September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will be an electrifying night in the world of boxing.