Boxing’s reigning P4P king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is dreaming of a huge double for Mexico this weekend along with F1 driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez.
Alvarez will bid to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world in Las Vegas on Saturday night when he meets the undefeated Caleb Plant (21-0).
Less than 24 hours later on Sunday in Mexico City, Perez races for Red Bull in the 2021 Mexico Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
‘Canelo’ and ‘Checo’ odds
‘Canelo’, who is a heavy favorite at -900 (you’d need to bet $900 to win just $100) is hoping to start an amazing weekend for his country against Plant (+700). And his dream is that Perez – a +1400 shot to shock F1 title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton – will then complete the double.
Speaking at the final press conference before the bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Alvarez said: ““The fact that I can make history this weekend along with Formula One driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez, is very motivating for me. My goal is to make this an unbelievable weekend for Mexico.”
The build-up to Canelo vs Plant (live on Showtime at around 11pm ET/8pm Pacific on Saturday) was highlighted by the brawl the pair engaged in at their L.A. press conference last month. But Alvarez says that scuffle – which left Plant with a cut under his eye – will have no bearing come Saturday night.
Press conference brawl means nothing
“It’s so different when you’re in the ring, so I don’t really take anything from our altercation at the first press conference.
“I’ve faced many good fighters with skills that are similar to Caleb. It’s a style that I’ve seen before and I know what to do with it. That just gives me confidence in my experience heading into this fight.
“I always train 100% my hardest and for the style of my opponent. I like that idea that Caleb is coming in believing he will win this fight. It’s going to make it more exciting for the fans. “The goal is to be an all-time great. I’m so proud of the journey I’ve taken to achieve that. I’m not going to stop until I’ve tried my best to reach that goal.
“Only one thing is going through my mind, and that’s winning. Everything else is outside of my control. I only care about what’s going to happen inside of the ring Saturday night.
“My emotions are under control. I’m excited for the fight of course. I’m excited to become undisputed champion and to make history. That’s what I want. But I can remain calm, because this is what I do.
“Only five male fighters in the history of boxing have accomplished becoming undisputed champion. I want to be the sixth. That’s the only thing on my mind. “You’re going to want to tune-in to this fight. This fight is going to be history. You’re going to be witnessing something that you’re going to remember for a long time.”