Canelo Alvarez says Billy Joe Saunders has made several excuses and insists he has no concerns over the fight falling through.
Canelo’s highly-anticipated unification clash against WBO titlist Saunders on Saturday, live on DAZN has been clouded in doubt on fight week after the Brit’s father claimed they would fly home if the ring inside the AT & T Stadium was not 22ft.
As of Tuesday, Saunders’ father Tom Saunders said the issue had not been resolved, however Saunders’ himself said on Instagram later in the day that he was happy with the ring in response to Alvarez telling reporters he was not worried about the ring size.
The unbeaten 30-year-old did not show up for the first head-to-head on Tuesday, leaving WBC and WBA ‘Super’ champion, Canelo to pose for photos alongside trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso.
However, speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Mexican said he had no apprehension over the status of the fight and believes his rival has made plenty of excuses, perhaps eluding to Saunders’ previous complaints about the lack of a British judge and beliefs that Matchroom Boxing Chairman, Eddie Hearn, who promotes both fighters is favouring Alvarez.
“He thinks he’ll give me a boxing lesson?,” Alvarez told reporters on Tuesday.
“We’ll see. I am not the same guy I was five or six years ago. I have experience, I am a more mature fighter.
“So he can say whatever he wants, on Saturday night, he is in a different level of fight. I hope that I don’t need the judges on the night.
“Nothing frustrates me, I am just focused on winning on Saturday. He has to fight me on Saturday, that has to happen, it’s not a problem.
“I don’t care about the size of the ring; I am just going to go in there and do my job.
“Saunders has come up with other excuses, he’s had plenty of excuses, but I am just going to go in there and do what I have to do.”
Victory for Canelo would see him hold three of the four world titles at 168lbs with IBF champion, Caleb Plant his next target should he be successful.
The four-weight world champion competes for a 59th time on Saturday, with his only loss coming to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2013 and he believes he still has at least seven more years in the sport.
“We have always been open about what are short and long term plans have been,” Canelo added.
“I want to unify the 168lb division, and Caleb Plant would be next in line to secure that short term goal if successful against Billy Joe Saunders.
“The goal is to be undisputed at 168lbs and then we’ll see. I think I could stay at Super-Middleweight until the end of my career.
“I think I have about seven years left until I retire, but I’m listening to my body and when it tells me to quit, I’ll quit.”
