Mexican fighter, who stands just 5ft 8in, prepares to take on Dmitry Bivol for his WBA light-heavyweight title in Las Vegas
There was a moment on Tuesday afternoon when Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, the comedian, set the tone yet again in Las Vegas. After all the hoopla and noise of his “grand arrival” in this gaudy old desert town, Álvarez smiled and turned quietly to his promoter Eddie Hearn. Álvarez is ready for his latest challenge as he prepares to climb yet another weight division to fight Dmitry Bivol for his WBA world light-heavyweight title on Saturday night. The jaunty Mexican band kept playing in the background and hundreds of cameras stayed fixed on Álvarez. But the best fighter in the world wanted a little laugh at his own expense.
Álvarez took a menacing step towards Hearn as if he, rather than Bivol, would be his next opponent after, last September, he became the undisputed world super-middleweight champion. But being the unified champion is not enough. He relinquished his belts so he could move up to face Bivol, the smartest and most technically proficient light-heavyweight in the world. Álvarez, who is only 5ft 8in, stood close to Hearn and, slowly, lifted his head to stare upwards at the Essex promoter who towers over him. The contrast in size told its own amusing story as Álvarez produced a parody of the traditional face-off. Hearn tried to play his part but, as Álvarez maintained his steely gaze, he cracked up.