Latest news with #SaúlÁlvarez
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Julio César Chávez Jr. and Jake Paul insist their bout is not staged, with much on the line
While Julio César Chávez Jr.'s name and lineage evoke history, discipline and glory, Jake Paul's name is linked to a modern phenomenon that has challenged the traditional codes of boxing. Paul's arrival in the boxing spotlight was not by conventional means and although his bout with Chávez may appear to be a marketing spectacle, both fighters could benefit from a win. Advertisement At age 39 with 61 professional fights (54-6-1, 34 KOs), Chávez returns to the to the Honda Center in Anaheim Saturday to face Paul, offering pre-fight speeches that mix confidence, maturity and a sense of duty. Away from the show, the Mexican says he focused on serious and deep preparation. "We are preparing to the fullest, thoroughly, to arrive better than ever physically, well-focused. We have to be 100% for the fight," Chávez told L.A. Times en Español, making it clear that this is not just another adventure, but a fight that could open up more opportunities. Jake Paul, left, and Julio César Chávez Jr. will face off at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday. (Cris Esqueda/) The son of Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez Sr., he knows that many see him as the last stepping stone to catapult Paul into boxing legitimacy, but he doesn't share that view. Advertisement "He's not going to beat me. I'm a better boxer than him," Julio César Chávez Jr. said. The endorsement he received from Mexican boxing star Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez was interpreted as a vote of confidence in his ability. "It's important to listen to him," Chávez said. "I think Canelo knows I'm the better boxer than Jake Paul. ... We're going to hit him hard." Paul said if he defeats Chávez, it will close the door on the Mexican fighter's comeback after a stint in rehab. 'He's going to retire,' Paul said. He dismissed Álvarez's endorsement of his opponent. Advertisement Read more: Jake Paul and Julio César Chávez Jr. question each other's skills ahead of Anaheim bout "It's definitely a sign of respect from Canelo, but he showed me the utmost respect by turning down $100 million not to fight me," Paul said, alluding to a potential fight against Álvarez that was being negotiated as recently as May before the Mexican star chose another opponent. "He knows it's not an easy fight." With a dozen fights under his belt, Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) has been consistently criticized for facing weaker opponents, with the latest one raising strong suspicions that opponents accept limitations that favor Paul. In November 2024, Paul faced aging legend Mike Tyson, whom he defeated by unanimous decision. Critics on social media immediately took issue with both fighters. There were moments it appeared Tyson could have finished Paul, but then seemed to back off and avoid throwing crucial punches. Advertisement Chávez made it clear that this fight is not part of a setup nor does it have an agreed script. "I don't lend myself to that kind of thing," Chávez said. "The fight is normal and that's all I can tell you." For the Mexican fighter, this bout represents something more than a purse or a chance to gain viral fame. Jake Paul, left, and Julio César Chávez Jr. taunt each other following a weigh-in ahead of their cruiserweight boxing match Friday in Anaheim. (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press) "It's like an activation," he said. "There is the opportunity to fight for the world championship, even a rematch with Canelo." And while some have suggested that a Chávez loss would mean the end of his career, he dismisses that emphatically, Advertisement "It hasn't crossed my mind, I'm not going to lose," he said. "I'm thinking about winning and having a few fights after that." Paul, for his part, has made controversy a promotional tool, but he has also sought, in his words, to make it clear that his ambition is serious. In response to rumors potential opponents canceled before the fight with Chávez was finalized, Paul explained that "a cowardly Mexican was afraid to fight me. ... Another great boxer did not deliver. We talked to [influencer and boxer] KSI, Tommy Fury... That led us to Chávez and to keep on the path of facing real opponents, former world champions and remain active on my way to becoming world champion." Paul, as is his custom, did not miss the opportunity to psychologically attack his rival. This time, he pointed to the symbolic weight of the Chávez surname. Advertisement Read more: Julio César Chávez Jr. defies fear and trains among the L.A. community affected by ICE raids "It's added pressure for Chávez Jr., he doesn't handle pressure well," Paul said. "... His dad wants this for his son, more than his son wants it. That can create a lot of problems and insecurities that I'm going to expose." Paul defends his history as a self-taught boxer who came to change the rules of the game. "I never wanted the respect. It's about proving myself, creating one of the best sports stories to inspire the next generation," he said. "Without me, boxing would be dead." Advertisement For Paul, the bout is another step in his attempt to silence the purists and reassert himself as more than a YouTube celebrity with gloves. For Chávez, it represents a chance to reclaim his lost place, to prove that his lineage is not just a family name but legitimate talent. Boxers Jake Paul and Julio César Chávez Jr. attend a news conference at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles on May 14. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) 'I'm not worried, I'm preparing to win ... I grabbed the fight because I'm going to win it,' Chávez insisted, downplaying any risks. In the face of the doubts surrounding the showdowns, both fighters assured fans will see a real fight on Saturday. 'At the end of the day, above the ring, we are all the same,' Chávez said. Advertisement Paul is not worried about what people think of him. "I don't pay attention to what the boxing world says," he said. "Naturally, this world loves to shoot themselves in the foot and wants to keep criticizing me, but what we've realized is that they obviously have no power, no control, no weight because I'm still involved in the biggest events.' This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘The Face of Boxing, Brit Basher' - the many nicknames of Saul ‘Canelo' Alvarez
Saúl Álvarez is one of the biggest names in boxing; even if he does not always go by that moniker. In fact, so entrenched is the Mexican fighter's nickname into the boxing landscape that he is often referred by just 'Canelo'. As one of the top stars in the sport, fans and the media have come up with many different names for Álvarez over the years. Following on from his latest victory over William Scull to set up a super-bout with Terence Crawford this September, here is the story behind his famed monikers. Canelo, Canelitas, Canelito There is no better place to start with than Álvarez's most-well known nickname, 'Canelo'. Simply the Spanish word for 'cinnamon', it is commonly used in Hispanic countries to refer to redheads, in much the same way English-speaking places use the nickname ginger. Of course, Canelo has been ginger his whole life, and as such, has long lived with the nickname – or some variation of it. With family, he was called 'Canelitas ' , likening his ginger hair to the cinnamon biscuits popular in Mexico. His trainer José 'Chepo' Reynoso referred to him with a similar diminutive, 'Canelito', meaning 'little cinnamon' in English. When Álvarez grew in size as a boxer, so did his nickname. Santitos Canelo was not Álvarez's first nickname from his family. Although referred to as Saúl Álvarez, Canelo's first name is actually Santos. That was also the name of his father, so in the Álvarez family home he had to go by another nickname. As Canelo was the younger Santos in the house, he became little Santos – 'Santitos ' in Spanish. However, the nickname was hardly used outside Canelo's direct family. Jícama con Chile Álvarez's neighbours had other terms to describe the young boxer, including another food-related nickname. Jícama is a root vegetable found in Mexico, commonly cut up into strips and dusted with chili powder. The pale food dusted with red flecks was compared to Canelo's complexion and freckles, leading to Álvarez being christened 'Jícama con Chile ' . Other nicknames were not as imaginative, with 'Pecas ' – freckles – another label 'Canelo' was given. Referring to his red features and fiery temperament, ' Entomatado ' (literally 'tomatoed') and 'Enchilado ' (seasoned with chili, spicy) were also used. These harsh terms were part of the reasoning behind Álvarez's trainer and manager, Chepo Reynoso, finding the new nickname of 'Canelito' for his charge. Reynoso told the LA Times in 2012: 'I wanted it to be something softer, nicer, because he was being called such harsh things.' Brit Basher Canelo Álvarez is a feared opponent around the world, but British boxers should be warier than most of the Mexican. That is because Canelo boasts a perfect record against fighters from the UK, with eight wins from eight bouts – five by stoppage. Even when Canelo failed to get a stoppage against Callum Smith, Matthew Hatton, and John Ryder, he still won by unanimous decisions in each bout. Most of the Brits Canelo has vanquished were no slouches; Liam Smith and his brother Callum, Amir Khan, and Billy Joe Saunders were all world champions. Canelo's dominant performances against UK fighters has led to sections of the British press to label the Mexican 'Brit Basher ' . It is a moniker Canelo is proud of, recently telling The Sun : "I'm sorry to say that, but I'm gonna continue to do it if somebody pays me!" The Face of Boxing Many fighters have been labelled, or proclaim themselves, as the 'Face of Boxing'. Gervonta 'Tank' Davis is a recent example, but Canelo has been boxing's biggest star. After becoming a household name in his native Mexico, Canelo has gone on to become one of the most recognisable names in the sweet science. Canelo's CV is filled with star names from all over the globe, with fights against Dimtry Bivol, Floyd Mayweather, Gennady Golovkin, capturing the attention of millions across the world. A big attraction no matter where he fights, Canelo is often included in Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes, highlighting his ability to sell pay-per-views and attracting sponsorship.
