CANELO Alvarez has been the biggest draw in world boxing for almost a decade and yet the three-time unified world champion continues to sacrifice for greatness.

Entering his 64th pro fight, you can likely count the number of bouts left for the Mexican icon on one hand.

So, it’s legacy defining fights only for the 33-year-old from this point; headline drivers.

The chance to take on another undisputed champion (owner of all four of a division’s recognised world titles) fits that narrative perfectly.

Jermell Charlo is king at 154lb. And, whilst that’s a stone under Canelo’s super-middle class, the opportunity for Charlo easily outweighs any disadvantage.

The prize for him is not only global fame and fortune, but the chance to become the first man in history to hold undisputed status simultaneously in two weight classes.

IRON MAN

Charlo’s 35-1-1 record features 19 knockouts and nine world title fights. He’s also stopped eight of his last 10 opponents.

He and his brother Jermall – older by one minute and himself a middleweight champion – have proclaimed themselves as “the future of boxing” for years and have the highlight reel of knockouts to back it up.

Now, comes the opportunity to prove it.

Jermell’s eight-year 154lb championship reign is punctuated by a controversial points loss to Tony Harrison in 2018 that was avenged by KO 12 months later.

But he was fortunate to hold onto his titles in 2021, when a controversial split decision draw against Brian Castano – owner of the last of the four 154lb belts – had to be repeated.

In the rematch last year, Charlo ended the debate with a dramatic 10th round KO victory that saw him crowned boxing’s first light-middleweight undisputed champion.

NO BOXING, NO LIFE

Canelo has bounced back from a failed attempt at fourth weight class unification in typical fashion.

Completing his trilogy rivalry with Gennady Golovkin and defending his undisputed 12-stone status against the UK’s John Ryder without too many problems.

But the critics still circled. Against both he looked a little jaded; a little tired. Unsurprising, perhaps when you’ve been carrying the sport for as long as he has.

Canelo’s ‘No Boxing, No Life’ trademark both threatens and guarantees his place in history. Despite earning hundreds of millions form the ring, his thirst to define his place in the history of the sport goes unquenched.

Charlo represents the 19th world champion Canelo will have beaten in his career. Is he chasing Floyd Mayweather’s record of 23?

Whatever the motivation, Canelo knows Father Time is truly the only undefeated figure in the sport. And his performance in Las Vegas this weekend will likely dictate what comes next in his storied 18-year career.

SECONDS OUT

How Charlo’s speed and power carry with an extra stone on his bones likely holds the outcome of the fight. If they do and the lateral movement of the footwork prevails then 2023 Canelo will have bitten off more than he can chew.

But there is no stage in boxing like a Canelo stage and Charlo may need his twin brother in the ring with him down the stretch to keep the Mexican off.

Charlo will win rounds. He will dance, he will land and he will catch the eyes of the judges. But with Canelo targeting the body early, the fight really begins after round six.

And in the seven years since he last fought at 154lb, Canelo has packed on the kind of muscle that’s toppled champions far bigger than Jermell.

TIP: Canelo by KO Rounds 10-12