3 Keys to Victory for Canelo Alvarez

Photo by Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

At just 25 years old, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has already faced some of boxing’s best fighters, including a square-off with Miguel Cotto last fall. Against older, veteran fighters, young Canelo has frequently been thought of as the underdog.

Now, we’re witnessing a shift in the Mexican superstar’s career from underdog to favorite.

He faces Amir Khan tomorrow, who is just a few years older, but has enough experience to make Canelo feel like he’s facing another veteran. Except this time, boxing fans are championing Canelo to annihilate Khan for the WBC world Middleweight title.

But titles are arbitrary. Respect isn’t. Here are three keys that will help Canelo secure a win over Khan tomorrow night.

1. Close the Distance

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Canelo has gotten much better at cutting off the ring, especially against Miguel Cotto. Canelo’s strength is literally in his power, and his combinations. In order to be successful throwing them, he has to figure out how to close the distance between him and Khan quickly.

Khan is also great at throwing combinations, so Canelo doesn’t want his opponent to get the jump on him. It’s really important that Canelo establishes his jab. By establish, I mean he should throw it until it’s landing comfortably.

Using his jab as a measuring stick, Canelo can figure out how close he needs to be to Khan to hit him. This, in combination with cutting off the ring, will put Khan in unfavorable positions and allow Canelo to take advantage of him.

2. Get to the Chin

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The biggest concern for Amir Khan in this fight is his chin. Canelo Alvarez needs to make it his business to test the chin early. His goal doesn’t even have to be knocking Khan out–even scoring a knock down or two will put Canelo ahead on the scorecards, and Khan in a position of desperation.

Canelo can get to the chin a number of ways but ideally, he should try to land his lead left hook.

Before committing to the hook, Canelo will need to gage the holes in Khan’s game and capitalize off of them.

Feints are another great way for Canelo to place power shots more stealthily.

3. Attack the Body

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Amir Khan is supremely athletic, but incessant body shots can wear anyone down over time. Fortunately, power, combinations and punches to the body are Canelo Alvarez’s specialty.

Khan is gifted in speed and throwing combinations, so Canelo should focus on working the body to slow his opponent down throughout the fight.

Even if Canelo doesn’t knock Khan out, slowing him down will make Khan look ineffective and help Canelo appear to be the more active fighter.

Going to the body might provoke Khan to work on the inside, which is a very dangerous range for him.

If Canelo can keep going to toe-to-toe with Khan, he can lure him into a dangerous position, and make Khan fight a fight that is not his own.