Canelo Alvarez Media Conf Call Transcript: Jacobs is “a very difficult fight”

Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs), WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion, hosted an international media
conference call today to discuss his upcoming 12-round unification fight against IBF Middleweight World Champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs). Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, along with Jose “Chepo” Reynoso and Eddy Reynoso, also participated on the call. The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below is what today’s participants had to say on the call:

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Thank you very much. Hello all, and thank you for dialing in for the Canelo Alvarez international media conference call. On May 4th Canelo Alvarez will take a step closer to becoming undisputed champion as he defends his WBC, WBA, and Lineal championships, and the Ring Magazine middleweight world titles in a 12-round unification course fight against IBF word champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, who has an outstanding record of 35 and 2 and 29 knockouts.

This event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas where Canelo Alvarez has introduced this arena to the boxing world. He will now be making his fifth appearance there before yet another packed house. Tickets for this event are running out fast. You can get your tickets at www.tmobilearena.com or www.AXS.com. This champion-versus-champion event will be streamed exclusively live on The Zone DAZN sports streaming platform blowing up the fight game. I want to thank our partners at DAZN for providing us at Golden Boy with the best platform in boxing.

I also want to thank our sponsors Tecate, the official beer of boxing, and Hennessy, Never stop, never settle, for their continued support.

We will now introduce today’s participants before we open it up for Q and A for the media. So first off, let me introduce to you the head trainer and manager of Canelo Alvarez. This man is also showing his capabilities as a great trainer with one of our rising stars, Ryan Garcia, and he is a potential training of the year.

He has done outstanding work with Canelo Alvarez over the years. We have all seen his amazing progression. Every fight Canelo goes out he’s only getting better, and that’s because of this trainer. I will now introduce to you, Eddy Reynoso.

EDDY REYNOSO: (Through translation.) First of all, thank you to everyone. Good morning, and thank you for all that are attending this call. We’re working just as hard as always. We know what we have in front of us. We have a tremendous champion, talented fighter, but we are working very hard, as we always do, to come out with our hand raised at the end of the night.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Thank you, Eddy. Next up, you know him as Chepo, Jose Chepo Reynoso, the trainer and also manager of Canelo Alvarez. He’s been with Canelo practically all his life. Again, we’ve seen the process that Canelo has made, and only getting better. Without any further ado, Jose Chepo Reynoso.

JOSE REYNOSO: (Through translation.) Good morning everyone. We’re very happily working, working hard to once again give the fans the best. You have two of the best fighters, “the” two best fighters in the division. We’re optimistic. We know what we have in front of us, a very difficult tasks, but very confident with the work we’re going to put in to give the fans a great fight on May 4th.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: And now I would like to introduce to you the WBC, WBA, Lineal, and Ring Magazine middleweight world champion, Canelo Alvarez.

Canelo.

CANELO ALVAREZ: Good morning to everyone. Very, very happy to be here and participate in this call. More than ready. More than ready to answer any questions that are asked.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Gracias. Now we will open it up for Q and A. Thank you very much.

Q. Hello everybody. Canelo, my question for you is this: You do have a common opponent with Danny in that Gennady Golovkin gave him a very he tough close fight. A lot people thought he may have won the fight when they boxed in 2017. Wondered if you ever watched that fight and what your take was on that fight and if you put anything into your mind into that as far as how you prepare your game plan to fight against Daniel Jacobs?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) Yes, obviously I seen the fight. I’ve seen the fight. Not only this fight, we watch other fights to see if there is a variety, a change in different styles, how he adapts to different opponents. Based on that, we work on our strategy and prepare for what’s coming on fight night, whatever he can bring and the changes he might make.

Q. Canelo, do you think he defeated Golovkin? A lot of people think he should have gotten his hand raised that night.

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) Yes, I mean, the fight was close. Could have been to anyone. For me personally, boxing is an appreciation. For me, Jacobs won the fight.

Q. Is your goal then with a victory against Danny on May 4th to fight Triple G a third time this coming fall? That’s a fight a lot of people talk about for you two guys later this year.

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) First things first. We have a tough, difficult fight ahead of us. As a team, we have a goal. The objective of this year so to win all the belts. If Golovkin has a belt, then yes. Why not? We’ve given the fans two beautiful, great fights. Why not a third?

Q. (Through translation.) How do you visualize the fight against Jacobs? How do you see it playing out?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) It’s going to be a very difficult fight, especially in the first few rounds. Until the moment that I start adapting and imposing my style it will be a difficult fight because of his style.

Q. (Through translation.) Second question is what is it that most catches your eye? What is it you most see from Jacobs?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) He’s an opponent that is very complete. He knows how to obviously change guards from south paw to orthodox. He knows how to move in the ring. Very difficult.

We know the risk of this fight, and it is a high-risk fight. A fighter of my experience, of my level, has to adapt and know how to adapt to all the levels. That’s what we’re preparing for. We’re working very hard to prepare and come out with the victory.

Q. Thank you for taking the time to talk today. There isn’t a war of the words between you and Jacobs as there was with Triple G. Do you think there is an added respect between you and Jacobs that there weren’t between and you Gennady Golovkin?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No. You guys know me. I mean, it’s never been in my character, my trait, to be offending fighters, talking bad about them. What happened in the Golovkin fight was a reaction to everything they said and they did, and they talked about me.

This particular case the fans know we’re both going to go in that ring, give it 100%, gave it our all, and provide a great fight.

Q. Do you feel an added sense of energy or enthusiasm fighting on Cinco de Mayo weekend? Does it impact your performance at all?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) It’s like all fights. Yes, obviously fighting on these important dates for my country, you know, May and September are very important for me. They motivate me. That are like all my fights. I love boxing and what I do, and that motivates me in all my fights.

Q. My first question would be is there anybody that you fought that’s similar to Jacobs style in terms of just the total package that he brings? I know when you fought Lora and Floyd they were both pretty good boxers, but they didn’t have the power he had. Gennady Golovkin was a really good power fighter, but didn’t have the same agile as Jacobs does. Is there anybody you’ve fought that has the same boxing ability and punching power that he has?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No, I believe Jacobs has a unique style because he’s a very complete fighter. He can box, punch; he’s tall, agile. I fought all the styles out there, and I believe at my level with my experience, you put it all together, no matter what’s in front of me, I can adapt and overcome.

Q. Does it bother you that people keep asking Jacobs does he have to take the judges out of it, does he need to knock you out? Does it bother that so many people feel that you’ve gotten a few favorable decisions, or do you not think about that at all?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No, I don’t think about it. Doesn’t bother me. Look, people are always going to have their opinions and think and criticize, but that’s part of it. That’s part of the game.

Q. And last thing just wanted to ask is it’s obviously a big fight. There is obviously no looking past Jacobs at all. You’ve all said you want to unify the titles, and Gennady Golovkin wants a third fight. There are always rumors that that’s the fight that’s going to be lined up in September. If it was up to you, assume you get past this fight, would you want to fight with Gennady Golovkin knowing how great both fights were, or would you be more interested in fighting somebody that still has his title? Which ones would you kind of prefer?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) Look, the objective this year is to win all titles. My goal this year is to have all the belts. If Golovkin has a belt before the end of the year, then yes, we’ll gladly fight him. If he doesn’t, see where it falls later, how it plays out.

Right now my first objective, goal, is May 4th to pick up that belt.

Q. And my very, very last question is how is making weight? I know you just fought at 168. How is making weight for 160? Things been going smooth?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) Yeah, you know, that’s always part of the game. That’s always a sacrifice, is to make weight. Working hard the weight comes off, and that’s what we’re doing.

Q. (Through translation.) When you were a young kid maybe starting in the pros, a little boy coming into boxing, did you ever imagine winning one division, two divisions, three divisions, and now possibly winning four and becoming the first Mexican in history to become an undisputed middleweight champion or world champion?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) I’m going to explain the process. When I first started as a young kid boxing I always dreamed of becoming a world champion, and I had a great example in the gym, (indiscernible) who was a champion. Through that process, through that growth, as you learn with experience and see things, I started challenging myself more and saying, Why one championship? I can go on and win more.

I’m still growing and seeing this process, and that’s what motivates me, to continue writing history and to continue reaching those goals.

Q. Canelo, you have been a professional for many years, more than ten years, and you’ve achieved a lot of your goals. As you think about your place in boxing history, what kind of legacy do you want to leave for the sport? Do you think about this now that you are a very experienced professional, about this picture of history?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) I want to be remembered as one the greats in boxing, and that’s why I continue to work hard and continue taking on these type of fights, so I can continue writing history.

Q. If you could speak to yourself as a teenager, knowing what you know now, what would you tell that younger version of Canelo?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) I would tell him to continue with that motivation, that enthusiasm, that hard work, that discipline, and continue doing what he was doing. That’s how Chepo would always tell me and remind me: You’re going to make it to as far as you want to make it.

Q. Chepo, do you think Canelo has always listened to your advice and taken it well?

JOSE CHEPO REYNOSO: (Through translation.) Yes, definitely. He listened, but not only listened, would always put it in effect, whatever the advice was. That’s what made him who he is today. He wants to, and he said it. He wants to be remembered as one of the greatest that ever boxed. That’s why he continues to learn, listen, and put it to play.

Q. (Through translation.) Being Mexican, what does it mean to fight and continue this tradition of fighting on such an important date like May 5th weekend?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No, for me it’s very important to fight and continue this tradition as a Mexican. As a team it’s important to be fighting on those two important dates like it is, May and September. You know, it’s a great responsibility that comes along with it, but it’s taken care of with the hard work that we put in.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Any further questions?

Q. Canelo, I just have one simple question to ask: You’ve been fighting now in major fights for quite a while, since pretty much the first big fight you had was against Floyd Mayweather. What was its most valuable lesson you’ve learned since the Mayweather fight?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) I’ve had many fights I’ve learned. Every fight. At different levels you learn something that, and that is where I am today because of all those fights. The experience I have today is because of fights in the past.

But it’s not only those fights. It’s the ones from here on out. In boxing you never stop learning. I continue to learn and I continue to put it into practice.

Q. (Through translation.) With what you mentioned about Jacobs being a complete fighter and with what you said your goals are this year of obtaining all the belts, would you consider this a most important fight to date and that a slip, a loss here can affect your legacy and where you want to be remembered as?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) Look, right now more than ever everybody wants to fight me, to beat me. Obviously that’s the biggest thing for them. They want to come and beat me.

We’re always exposed to that. In boxing anything can happen. That’s why today I train harder than ever, so that it doesn’t happen and we continue with victories and continue winning.

Q. (Through translation.) Out of all your fights, which one do you think has taught you the most and made you the fighter that you are today?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) Every single one. Every single one has taught me something, given me the experience, the maturity, and made me the fighter that I am today. I learned from every single fight.

Q. (Through translation.) WBC requires 30-day pre weigh-in. You’ve turned it in a lot lower than Jacobs. How do you analyze that he may have to lose it in a rapid pace? How do you see it?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No, look, it’s a part of boxing. It’s always a sacrifice to lose weight. Some lose it gradually and some wait until the week, the day before. Everybody has their own way of losing the weight.

I don’t pay attention to that. Doesn’t bother me. We just make the weight at the fight.

Q. (Through translation.) You always set goals and are looking for new challenges. There has been talks that you are willing to go up to 175 and face the likes of Kovalev. How true is that?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) Yeah, everything is possible. Look, as a team we’ve always been a team to take on all challenges. That’s what motivates and drives me. But right now, the focus is 100% on May 4th and what I have in front of me at this time.

But the door is open. It’s open and it’s possible.

Q. (Through translation.) You’ve always talked about your team, Chepo and Eddy, your family, Golden Boy. What does it mean to you, your fans, all the support you have and all the love you have from your fans?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) I’m very grateful for all the support they’ve given me from the beginning of my career, from the start until where I am today. That’s why I continue giving this level of fights, so that I can leave a legacy for my family, my team, and also for them, all my fans that have supported me.

Q. Canelo, Daniel Jacobs has a weight advantage when he gets into the ring fighting middleweights. How much do you think it helped you fighting at super middleweight?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No, I’m a fighter that’s very confident in my ability, what I can do, and I don’t really — that doesn’t bother me. I’ve faced the strongest fighters out there and I’m prepared for that and more. I’m an elite fighter that can adapt to that.

Q. One more question: Daniel Jacobs has fought well in a south paw stance, switched it up between orthodox and south paw. How much do you expect him to fight as south paw being they at times have given you some difficulty?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No, south paws haven’t been complicated for me. I’m a fighter that can adapt to all styles and I have shown it. Jacobs switches and that’s an ability he has, but it’s impossible that he can be a better south paw than he’s going to be orthodox.

But that’s what we’re preparing for.

Q. First of all, I want to thank you very much for taking the time out. This press conference is greatly appreciated. Just really goes back to what everyone was stating in terms of your plans of getting all the belts. Is there a particular weight you would prefer to fight at, or is it whoever has a belt you’re just going to go out there and challenge them?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No, it’s no secret that my ideal weight is 160 pounds, the middleweight division. Look, everybody knows I’ve always loved challenges, so if there’s challenges and title out there, and are titles out there, I’m open to it like I’ve shown in the past.

Q. My other question I have is once again, I’m sure you’re very tired of here about Triple G. Seems to be coming up a lot. With the controversy with the Triple G fights, do you feel that’s something that is always going to be mentioned with your legacy? Do you feel it’s unfair, and that you have had a great career and the Triple G fights keep coming up?

CANELO ALVAREZ: (Through translation.) No. It’s normal. It’s normal. Look, today we still talk about Leonard and Duran and Hagler and Leonard. They’re great fights. People are going to always talk about them.

Right now my objective is May 4th. That’s where my focus is. If a third fight happens, it’ll be better than the first two. Right now my concentration and focus is on May 4th.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Thank you very much to all the media. We greatly appreciate it. This concludes the international press conference call.