Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders - May 8, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo vs Saunders: Pre-sale tickets break record, general sale on now for May 8 fight

The demand is clearly there for Canelo-Saunders in Texas.

Matchroom Boxing are expecting over 60,000 fans in attendance for the May 8 fight between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and over 40,000 are already gone after the pre-sale for the event, with general sale tickets now up for grabs. The pre-sale broke a record for the broker Seat Geek.

This will be — by quite a bit — the biggest boxing event since the initial COVID-19 setbacks hit the sport just over a year ago. We have seen events with fans in attendance at stadiums in the United States and Australia and New Zealand, but nothing like 60,000.

“The pre-sale numbers were fantastic, and I am sure that on Cinco de Mayo weekend, we’re going to have a full house to watch this massive unification fight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

“It’s great to be able to stage a fight of such huge global significance to the home of the Dallas Cowboys and fill that wonderful stadium with fans. We’re going to be putting on a night that those lucky enough to be in there will never forget.”

Whether or not an attendance this big is a good idea in six weeks, I don’t know, but it’s going to happen, and it’s clear the demand is very much there.

Canelo (55-1-2, 37 KO) will be defending the WBC and WBA super middleweight titles, while Saunders (30-0, 14 KO) puts his WBO belt up for the fight. The event will stream live on DAZN.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Saunders looks great against one dimensional guys. Canelo is the best in the world

It will be 9 to 3 or 10 to 2

Winning 3 rounds vs p4p 1 is a great performance. I’m backing him in for 1 or 2 but hope he comes in light and mobile and gets it close enough to be robbed.

Canelo typically takes a couple rounds off so not sure id be pumped about winning a couple rounds but to each their own

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBC Creating The 'Mestizo' Title For The Bout

Next month, a three belt collision will take place when WBC, WBA super middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez takes on WBO beltholder Billy Joe Saunders.

The event takes place on May 8th from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

According to World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman, the sanctioning body will create a special belt for the match - the Mestizo title.

The WBC has a tradition of creating "special" belts for fights that involve one of their champions - and they even create titles for high profile matches that only involve rival sanctioning bodies.

"Our great champion Saul Canelo Alvarez continues his plan to unify the super middleweight division by facing the WBO champion, British boxer Billy Joe Saunders, on May 8 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium," said Sulaiman.

"During this fight, it's going to be where the World Boxing Council will give the world another piece of art, the beautiful Mestizo belt, made by the State of Mexico.

"As you may know, the WBC commemorates the two great Mexican dates (Cinco De Mayo in May and Mexican Independence Day in September), as the most important fights of the year are held on these dates and magnificent (title) pieces from various cultures have been created (for these fights).

"First it was the Huichol, then Chiapas, then the Mayan culture , and last year it was dedicated to the State of Mexico with the Mazahua and Otomi belts. As there were no fights in 2020 due to the pandemic, we agreed to dignify this entity in 2021, and very soon we will present the Mestizo (title)."

[lazboy]

Looking forward to this one. Let’s see if BJS can make Canelo look human again, even if only for a moment.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo-Saunders Press Conference

Canelo Alvarez: “I feel like I am in my prime. I’m going to win, without a doubt.”

Billy Joe Saunders: “It’s a legacy fight because of what is on the line. It’s the pinnacle, the top of the mountain.”

[Cent0089]

WBC Creating The 'Mestizo' Title For The Bout

When you think boxing belts cannot be more funny, two white guys is going to fight for mestizo belt

[Enlightened-One]

WBC Creating The 'Mestizo' Title For The Bout

When you think boxing belts cannot be more funny, two white guys is going to fight for mestizo belt

What does mestizo mean in English?

I thought it basically meant someone that was mixed race/ancestry?

Billy Joe Saunders is a member of the Romany Gypsy community (so I'm assuming that members of his family tree would have originated from all over the place).

And isn't there a huge genetic variation in ancestry of Mexican's (i.e. indigenous, Asians, Europeans)?

Diversity is not always about skin colour.

Perhaps I'm wrong, I don't know (since I only know the basics in Spanish) - it's just my literal interpretation of the word.

[Nondescript]

Anyone trying to push the narrative that David Lemieux is an elite fighter is taking the piss lol.

The guy has a T-rex like reach, comes forward trying to throw bombs but with no boxing intelligence whatsoever. I remember him being outboxed by a journeyman years ago.

The best fighter BJS has fought imo as a pro was probably Andy Lee, and even then its questionable whether he was a true elite middleweight.

[Nondescript]

I do wonder who Canelo has been sparring in prep for this one.

Gilberto Ramirez perhaps? Stylistically very different to Saunders, but a big old lump, who can punch somewhat and is a southpaw obviously.

I'd imagine Canelo would bring in specially tailored guys who are similar to BJS aswell though.

[Enlightened-One]

Anyone trying to push the narrative that David Lemieux is an elite fighter is taking the piss lol.

The guy has a T-rex like reach, comes forward trying to throw bombs but with no boxing intelligence whatsoever. I remember him being outboxed by a journeyman years ago.

The best fighter BJS has fought imo as a pro was probably Andy Lee, and even then its questionable whether he was a true elite middleweight.

In all fairness, the BoxRec forum believed that Saunders-Lemieux was a 50-50 fight.

This media and the betting odds shared the same opinion.

And when Saunders beat David Lemieux, the Canadian was a former world champion, had only been beaten once (by GGG) and was also universally regarded as a top-four 160lb-er by The RING and ESPN.

That’s the problem with hindsight, it often compels people to become revisionist historians, whilst also undermining the achievements of fighters they dislike.

The forum often experienced similar phenomenon whenever Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought.

People were excited about his fights and were desperately hoping he’d lose.

And in some cases, they even predicted an upset (or at least a close fight).

But whenever Money May beat his opponents in one-sided fashion, suddenly the very same people dishonestly pretended Floyd was simply cherry-picking and kept engaging in mismatches, with fighters like Canelo and Pacquiao instantly dismissed as hype-jobs or totally shot!

[lazboy]

Anyone trying to push the narrative that David Lemieux is an elite fighter is taking the piss lol.

The guy has a T-rex like reach, comes forward trying to throw bombs but with no boxing intelligence whatsoever. I remember him being outboxed by a journeyman years ago.

The best fighter BJS has fought imo as a pro was probably Andy Lee, and even then its questionable whether he was a true elite middleweight.

In all fairness, the BoxRec forum believed that Saunders-Lemieux was a 50-50 fight.

This media and the betting odds shared the same opinion.

And when Saunders beat David Lemieux, the Canadian was a former world champion, had only been beaten once (by GGG) and was also universally regarded as a top-four 160lb-er by The RING and ESPN.

That’s the problem with hindsight, it often compels people to become revisionist historians, whilst also undermining the achievements of fighters they dislike.

The forum often experienced similar phenomenon whenever Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought.

People were excited about his fights and were desperately hoping he’d lose.

And in some cases, they even predicted an upset (or at least a close fight).

But whenever Money May beat his opponents in one-sided fashion, the very same people dishonestly pretended Floyd was simply cherry-picking and kept engaging in mismatches, with fighters like Canelo and Pacquiao instantly dismissed as hype-jobs or totally shot!

Don’t forget, Lemieux had his arse Koed by Rubio.

[Enlightened-One]

Anyone trying to push the narrative that David Lemieux is an elite fighter is taking the piss lol.

The guy has a T-rex like reach, comes forward trying to throw bombs but with no boxing intelligence whatsoever. I remember him being outboxed by a journeyman years ago.

The best fighter BJS has fought imo as a pro was probably Andy Lee, and even then its questionable whether he was a true elite middleweight.

In all fairness, the BoxRec forum believed that Saunders-Lemieux was a 50-50 fight.

This media and the betting odds shared the same opinion.

And when Saunders beat David Lemieux, the Canadian was a former world champion, had only been beaten once (by GGG) and was also universally regarded as a top-four 160lb-er by The RING and ESPN.

That’s the problem with hindsight, it often compels people to become revisionist historians, whilst also undermining the achievements of fighters they dislike.

The forum often experienced similar phenomenon whenever Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought.

People were excited about his fights and were desperately hoping he’d lose.

And in some cases, they even predicted an upset (or at least a close fight).

But whenever Money May beat his opponents in one-sided fashion, the very same people dishonestly pretended Floyd was simply cherry-picking and kept engaging in mismatches, with fighters like Canelo and Pacquiao instantly dismissed as hype-jobs or totally shot!

Don’t forget, Lemieux had his arse Koed by Rubio.

Agreed. And well spotted! I'd forgotten about that!

It doesn't really affect the merit of my claims though, since the hyperlinks and the other facts I've conveyed are generally true.

We see it all the time, people doggedly maintain fighter A is great until they lose. And then they suddenly consider them garbage immediately after they've lost (i.e. Daniel Dubois).

[margaret thatcher]

ya, that was seen as a 50-50 fight

just as true is the fact that canelo is immensely better than lemiuex, in pretty much every way. saunders has had more trouble with his weak smw opponents than lem actually. isufi hurt him and he was barely scraping by that rando argie guy up into the 11th round

canelo has already beaten many guys who have either easily beaten lemieux or would do it easily, bjs will be another

[Enlightened-One]

ya, that was seen as a 50-50 fight


just as true is the fact that canelo is immensely better than lemiuex, in pretty much every way

Agreed, but let's not conflate things.

Lemieux was considered a very good fighter when he faced Saunders. It was definitely regarded as a 50-50 fight.

People forget about that. Hindsight doesn't change historical reality.

And I agree, Canelo is immeasurably better than David Lemieux.

Two completely different facts that are totally unrelated.

[margaret thatcher]

not conflating at all my man

whatever the predictions were (and yes, around 50-50), it's also true that canelo is vastly better than lem and that lem aint elite. so everyone is right

[skanksta]

It's also true that it wasn't 50/50 in reality.
If they fought again I wouldn't back Lem at less than 16s.

[Ruthless-RKO]

You're only as good as your last fight.

Prior to the Lem fight, BJS wasn't really that active and looked crap (lost) against Akakov and not that good against Monroe either..

However, AFTER beating Lem, a lot of boxing fans jumped on his back, saying he would give GGG and Canelo a good fight.

After the Akakov fight, no one gave him a change against Canelo or GGG.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBC Reveal "Mestizo Belt"










"The Mestizo is inspired by the Charreria. It has embroidered the Charro Cala de Caballo, involving skilled control of the horse. The belt also carries two Friesian horses and a skirmish, which is very important as it is the female representation in the Charreria," the WBC explained in a statement.

"Another kind of charro demonstration is added to the belt which is known as the Jineteada and finally the Floreode Reata. These are also represented with ornamental guides and embossed flowers that, in addition to increasing its beauty, also show the ornate brilliance of the artisan hands that elaborated it. What is made in Mexico is well done and this belt incorporates the heart and soul of its artisans."

[Enlightened-One]

I have to be honest, that's a great looking belt.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I have to be honest, that's a great looking belt.

It is..

The belt 's WBC create are clearly MADE for Canelo.

[lazboy]

I agree that it was billed as 50/50 fight and many said so bar me. I want my credit. I picked Saunders.

[Enlightened-One]

You're only as good as your last fight.

Prior to the Lem fight, BJS wasn't really that active and looked crap (lost) against Akakov and not that good against Monroe either..

However, AFTER beating Lem, a lot of boxing fans jumped on his back, saying he would give GGG and Canelo a good fight.

After the Akakov fight, no one gave him a change against Canelo or GGG.

I agree with everything you say, though the Akakov fight is ancient history (it happened almost five years ago, and times change). I also thought he just about deserved the win (or at least that's how I remember it).

The thing with Billy Joe is that he’s the sort of fighter who raises his game according to the challenge he’s facing. Saunders is a bit like his close buddy, Tyson Fury, in that regard.

Billy Joe also tends to do just about enough to win fights. It’s more about the outcome for him, rather than impressing fight fans.

I can’t see him beating Canelo, but it’s feasible that he’ll be more competitive than Callum Smith, because I think Billy Joe will raise his game to a level we haven’t seen before.

I don’t think it’ll be enough, but I really do think he’s not just turning up to receive the paycheque.

He’s going to try to win, even if it means suffering a late stoppage (probably due to running out-of-gas trying to outbox Canelo, whilst on the receiving end of a relentless onslaught to the body).

[Ruthless-RKO]

You're only as good as your last fight.

Prior to the Lem fight, BJS wasn't really that active and looked crap (lost) against Akakov and not that good against Monroe either..

However, AFTER beating Lem, a lot of boxing fans jumped on his back, saying he would give GGG and Canelo a good fight.

After the Akakov fight, no one gave him a change against Canelo or GGG.

I agree with everything you say, though the Akakov fight is ancient history (it happened almost five years ago, and times change). I also thought he just about deserved the win (or at least that's how I remember it).

Yes, it was 5 years ago, I meant it was only a year old at the time he fought Lem. So people where still thinking about the Akakov performance.

[Ruthless-RKO]