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Boxer Álvarez, Saunders: "If he wants to run away, let him try"
Photo: AFP
There is only one thing that boxing promoters love more than superlatives: historical superlatives.
A great struggle has to make history.
Organizers who are self-respecting do not do it.
Eddie Hearn, currently the most successful promoter in the world, seems correspondingly satisfied when he talks about the records that the duel between the Mexican superstar Saúl »Canelo« Álvarez and the undefeated Briton Billy Joe Saunders will break (Sunday, 2 am CEST; DAZN).
The world championship in super middleweight, in which the belts of the associations WBA, WBC and WBO are to be united, takes place in Arlington, Texas.
And the fight between Álvarez and Saunders is supposed to achieve something historical: It is supposed to show the USA the way back to normality.
Hearn expects the house to be fully occupied: 70,000 spectators are admitted to the event.
There are neither blocked places nor a mask requirement.
The Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially lifted the corona restrictions in his state on March 2nd: “We now have to do more to restore life and normalcy.
We're opening Texas 100 percent. "
Two weeks later, promoter Hearn confirmed Arlington as the venue for the battle between Álvarez and Saunders.
The boxing mecca of Las Vegas lost out as restrictions continue to apply in Nevada.
More than the Kentucky Derby, a lot more than the Super Bowl
The expected 70,000 fans make the event the largest live event in the US since the outbreak of the corona pandemic.
The Kentucky Derby on May 1st reported 51,838 guests, at the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay in early February, the number of spectators was limited to 25,000.
Due to the special constellation, not only boxing enthusiasts will look to Texas with interest, but also representatives of other industries that rely on an audience.
The number of infections in the "Lone Star State" is declining despite the complete opening.
And although only 29 percent of the population already have full vaccination protection, a little less than the US average.
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Promoter Hearn (center) in conversation with Álvarez (left) and Saunders: Finally »real boxing« again
Photo: LM Otero / AP
Spectators are "strongly encouraged" to wear masks during the event.
It is up to you whether you follow this suggestion.
Promoter Hearn does not want to hear about the fact that the large-scale party could turn into a superspreader event.
He feels "absolutely safe," says the Briton.
“We are sending out an important signal here for the whole world.
I hope that, with the experience from Texas, we will soon be able to hold large events in England again. «
Unloved show competition
It should be at least as important to Hearn that people in the USA finally talk about "real boxing" again, as he says.
In the past few months, fights between YouTubers and old stars who have already resigned have caused a sensation in the United States.
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In November 2020, Mike Tyson returned to the ring after 16 years of abstinence. He has announced more fights for this year. Tyson's former rival Evander Holyfield is set to make his comeback on June 5th. A day later, Logan Paul meets boxing early retiree Floyd Mayweather Jr. Paul runs a YouTube channel with more than 20 million followers and is just an amateur boxer.
His brother Jake, also a social media star and a passionate boxer, caused a stir in April when he knocked out MMA fighter Ben Askren in the first round. The fight was broadcast on pay-per-view in the United States. 1.5 million fans paid $ 49.99 for the spectacle, which featured Justin Bieber, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg among others.
Such events are not very popular with active professionals.
Álvarez, for example, decided in several interviews that the Paul brothers should look for other hobbies: »You could die.
It's that simple. This isn't a soccer game.
Boxing is dangerous.
I don't want anyone killed just because they don't know what to do in the ring. "
Saunders insisted on enlarging the ring
Instead of opponents from the show industry, Álvarez prefers to mess with seasoned professionals - and the result seems similarly predictable.
The 30-year-old Mexican is just too good for the competition at the moment.
Saunders' opponent has won all his professional fights so far, but has never faced a force of nature like Álvarez.
»Canelo« boxes more variably, hits harder and moves better than the Briton.
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Force of nature Álvarez (2019 in the fight against Sergey Kovalev): Dangerous hook series
Photo: Ethan Miller / AFP
For Saunders, the main thing will be to avoid the infight and to keep Álvarez away with his long leading hand.
That is why the Briton insisted on enlarging the ring in advance.
In the week before the fight, Saunders' team even threatened to skip the fight if there was no more space between the ropes.
In the end, Álvarez gave in, but emphasized how much Saunders had displeased.
"If he wants to run away, let him try," said the Mexican.
“I won't let that happen.
He gets the receipt for his behavior in the ring. "
Fury believes in Saunders
In fact, it is unlikely that Álvarez will fail over twelve rounds.
The Mexican knows too well how to cut off the path of his opponents in the ring and place them in such a way that he can attach his dangerous series of hooks.
If "Canelo" starts working the body early as usual, Saunders will also lack the air to permanently withdraw.
The bookmakers favor Álvarez accordingly.
One of the few who believe in a sensational success from Saunders is his good friend Tyson Fury.
Like the heavyweight world champion, Saunders belongs to the Roma group of travelers who call themselves "Gypsies".
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Fury has shown in his fights against Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder how it can succeed in defeating highly favored opponents.
To follow his example, Saunders would have to make the most of his economies of scale and at the same time be so flexible in the upper body that Álvarez cannot hit him.
Promoter Hearn shouldn't care who wins the fight.
Álvarez is the bigger star and promises higher earnings in the future.
In the event of a surprising defeat, the promoter could organize a rematch immediately.
After all, he also has Saunders under contract.
Editor's note: The author worked for Arena Box-Promotion from 2006 to 2013, initially in the press department and later as managing director. Today, in addition to his work at SPIEGEL, he does voluntary work for the Association of German Professional Boxers and the WBC (World Boxing Council).