With many left torn ahead of Paul’s return to boxing next weekend against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – Alvarez believes there is one clear winner
Canelo Alvarez is ‘rooting’ for his fellow countryman, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, ahead of his upcoming showdown with Jake Paul.
The ‘Problem Child’ is set to make his highly-anticipated return against Chavez Jr in a cruiserweight contest on June 27 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Paul, 28, has not fought since defeating former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson back in November. Despite failing to get the knockout, the young American cruised to a comfortable victory on points.
As for Chavez Jr, the former middleweight world champion has quite the CV – having fought at the top level for quite some time. The 39-year-old has fought the likes of Andy Lee, Marco Antonio Rubio and Anderson Silva. However, he has been rather inactive over the last few years.
He ended a three year hiatus last July when he defeated former UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall. Despite the inactivity in the ring, Alvarez – who famously beat Chavez Jr back in 2017 – is backing the 39-year-old to get his hand raised on fight night.
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Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Alvarez said: “I’m rooting for Chavez, I think it’s a chance for him to redeem himself and it’s a great opportunity, I fully trust that he’ll secure that victory, I wish him all the best. Julio should win, with good preparation and focus he should come out on top.”
Since confirmation of the contest, many top stars within the sport of boxing been left torn as to who they think will come out on top. However, one individual who is confident Paul will come out on top is Shawn Porter – who was left amused by what he once saw from the Mexican in training.
Speaking on The Porter Way Podcast, he said. “I got Jake Paul by KO.” The boxing icon then explained how previously seeing Chavez Jr in the gym helped him come to that conclusion. “He doesn’t have a gas tank. That means you’re not working and training out of the gym. I saw the in gym stuff and you scratch your head like ‘that was it for the day?’
“One day he came into the gym he shadow boxed, I don’t know if he made it a round on the bag, then he packed up and left … I’ve seen some short stuff. I don’t want to disrespect but it will make you scratch your head. The other fighters were laughing like ‘that was it? Why did he show up?’”
