Getting into the ring against a European opponent is, so far, a guarantee of victory for Saul Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KO’s), who hopes to extend the streak this Saturday, when he meets the Turk Avni Yildirim (21-2, 12 KO’s), in the stadium Hard Rock de Miami.
The Ottoman will be the ninth opponent of the Canelo born in the old continent. The previous eight lost, and six by way of knockout.
Of course, it will be the first of that nationality, because in the honor roll of the Guadalajara half a dozen successes are presumed against British fighters and a couple of Russian fighters.
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The first of his European victims was Marat Khuzeev (Russia), on August 8, 2009, at the Benito Juárez Auditorium, in Zapopan, Jalisco.
That night the Canelo He was seeking the World Boxing Council (WBC) youth welterweight title. He won it thanks to a lightning win in just two rounds.
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His career was still on the horizon, but the next rival that came from Europe was the one that opened the doors to the big billboards. On March 5, 2011, Álvarez prevailed – by unanimous decision – on English Matthew Hatton, to proclaim himself super welterweight monarch of the WBC.
Then came knockout triumphs over the also British Ryan Rhodes, Amir Khan, Liam Smith y Rocky Fieldingas well as Russian Sergey Kovalev.
On December 19, in San Antonio, Texas, he defeated Callum Smith (England) by unanimous decision, to stay with the super middleweight titles of the WBC and the World Boxing Association (WBA), those who will expose on Saturday to Yildirim, who will seek to surprise.
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