Avila Perspective, Chap. 235: Canelo Alvarez, Silk Pajamas and More

During the Covid-19 pandemic Saul “Canelo” Alvarez ruled the boxing world supremely like an Aztec emperor with super-human powers.

Once the face masks requirements were lifted, Alvarez returned to more human form and seems more vulnerable to obstacles and potholes.

Canelo is only 32.

Which Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) will we see when he defends the undisputed super middleweight world championship against England’s John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) on Saturday, May 6, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico? DAZN pay-per-view will show the Matchroom Boxing and Canelo Promotions fight card.

“I’m happy to be here in my hometown in front of people who supported me from the beginning,” said Alvarez, who weighed in at 166 compared with 167 for Ryder. “I remember when I fought (here) in the little arenas and now it’s this.”

Yes, he soundly defeated his rival Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin when they met a third time last September in Las Vegas. But that seemed more related to age than strength and skill.

A year ago, Canelo fought WBA light heavyweight titlist Dimitry Bivol and tasted defeat for the first time in nine years. That included 16 battles in the super welterweight, middleweight and super middleweight divisions against world champions and top contenders.

Legends are made from the route he took to achieve world titles in four weight divisions.

But when Alvarez attempted to dethrone Bivol last May in Las Vegas, the Covid pandemic was slowing down and that allowed the Mexican redhead to enjoy the niceties of the upper crust.

Canelo was seen at racetracks, yachting, and more often on the golf links playing with high finance pals, even during fight week.

In boxing, some call it the curse of the silk pajamas.

Whenever a prizefighter reaches the upper-tier status of the boxing world, like a Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya or Mike Tyson, those $100 million dollar plus bank accounts need to be unloaded. Luxury cars, fast women and silk pajamas seem to be the choice to spend some of that cash.

It was middleweight great Marvin Hagler who said, “It’s tough to get out of bed to do roadwork at 5 am when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas.”

No truer words were ever spoken.

Prizefighting has always been a sport for the hungry, the starving, the individuals who are born poor and take the path of the warrior in hopes of earning some monetary reward. Some even die for that dream.

When a fighter earns millions with his fists, they no longer are hungry.

Fighters like Mayweather who continued to beat the opposition despite earning huge wealth are rare. Self-discipline was ingrained in his daily routine and still seems to be there.

Can Canelo continue the way of the warrior despite his acquired riches?

“It’s an honor and I’m happy to continue to make history,” said Alvarez who spent eight months healing from a hand injury. “I feel I’m at my best, at my prime.”

Ryder, who defeated New York’s Daniel Jacobs last year by decision, is a tough London-born super middleweight with a solid chin and skills. He’s also hungry.

“People think I am here for the paycheck, I am not, I am here to show that dreams can come true. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I deserve to be here,” said Ryder who knocked out undefeated Zach Parker to win the interim WBO super middleweight title. “It’s a dream opportunity and I don’t plan to waste it.”

Mexico has not seen their native son fight in their country since Alvarez knocked out Kermit “The Killer” Cintron in 2011. Back then Alvarez was supremely hungry and nothing stood in his way to conquer challenges.

“I feel I’m at my best, at my prime. If John Ryder beats me, I’m done. But I have a lot to prove,” says Alvarez. “This is my life: golf, family and boxing.”

Other Bouts

Mexico’s Julio Cesar Martinez (19-2, 14 KOs) defends the WBC flyweight title against Panama’s Ronal Batista (15-2, 9 KOs). This is Martinez’s fifth defense of the world title.

Light heavyweight contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk (18-1, 14 KOs) meets Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Gvozdyk’s only loss was to current IBF and WBC light heavyweight titlist Artur Beterbiev and he looks to regain another shot at a title.

Mexico’s Gabriel Gollaz (26-3-1, 16 KOs) meets Australia’s Steve Spark (16-2, 14 KOs) for a regional super lightweight title in a 10-round contest.

Undefeated featherweight prospect Nathan Rodriguez (10-0, 7 KOs) is also on the card and fights Nicaragua’s Alexander Mejia (19-5, 8 KOs). Rodriguez resides in Pico Rivera, Calif.

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Saul Alvarez (58-2-2) vs John Ryder (32-5); JC Martinez (19-2) vs Ronal Batista (15-2); Oleksandr Gvozdyk (18-1) vs Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1); Gabriel Gollaz (26-3-1) vs Steve Spark (16-2).

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