Saul Alvarez ready to make 'history' against Dmitry Bivol as both fighters make weight

Mexican steps back up to light-heavyweight to take on the WBA champion in Las Vegas on Saturday night

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez of Mexico (L) and Dmitry Bivol of Russia pose following their weigh-in prior to their WBA light heavyweight fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, 06 May 2022. The WBA light heavyweight championship title fight opposing Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez of Mexico and Dmitry Bivol of Russia is scheduled on 07 May 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. EPA / ETIENNE LAURENT

Saul Alvarez arrives on stage for his weigh-in prior to his WBA light heavyweight championship title fight against Dmitry Bivol. EPA

Saul Alvarez weighs in for his WBA light-heavyweight championship title fight against Dmitry Bivol. EPA

Saul Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol face each other after weighing in for their WBA light heavyweight fight. EPA

Saul Alvarez poses during the weigh-in for his fight against Dmitry Bivol. AP

Fans cheer with a Mexico flag for Saul Alvarez during the weigh-in ahead of his fight with Dmitry Bivol. AFP

Saul Alvarez motions to the crowd during the weigh-in for his fight against Dmitry Bivol. AP

Saul Alvarez applauds the crowd during the weigh-in for his fight against Dmitry Bivol. AP

Saul Alvarez motions to the crowd during the weigh-in. AP

Dmitry Bivol on the scales during the weigh-in for his fight against Saul Alvarez. AP

Sauk Alvarez motions to the crowd during the weigh-in for his fight with Dmitry Bivol. AP

Fans cheer during the weigh-in for Saul Alvarez's fight with Dmitry Bivol. AFP

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez believes victory over light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol on Saturday night will take him a step closer to cementing his status as a boxing all-time great.

Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) is favoured to take the WBA 175-pound title from unbeaten Bivol at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip. The pound-for-pound superstar has fought at light-heavyweight only once previously in his career, taking out a past-his-prime Sergey Kovalev in late 2019.

With victories over practically every established opponent at super middleweight, the division in which he became the undisputed champion last year, Alvarez is eager to take on the larger, rangier Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) to add another achievement to his overflowing collection.

“I like this kind of challenge, because I want to make history,” Alvarez, 31, said after weighing in at 174.4 pounds (79.11 kg). “This kind of challenge is going to put me at the top in the history of boxing. I feel alive when I have this kind of challenge. I respect the boxing skill of Dmitry Bivol, but it is my time. I feel like I’m in my prime. I enjoy this kind of moment.”

Bivol presents a much stiffer challenge than Kovalev did to Canelo. The Kyrgyzstan-born Russian champion has held a version of his belt since May 2016, making several title defences against a litany of top 175-pounders.

Bivol has never fought an opponent of Alvarez’s calibre, but he welcomes the lucrative opportunity to test his skills against the world’s most accomplished active fighter.

“I’m really glad that I got this opportunity,” said Bivol, who weighed in at 174.6 pounds. “I’ve asked my team for many years to fight the best guys, and now I’ve got this fight. I had a long journey to get to here, and now I just want to do my job.”

Bivol is several inches taller than Alvarez, and his superior reach will present difficulties for Canelo to overcome. Alvarez has excelled against taller opponents before, most recently in his patient, systematic dismantling of Caleb Plant last November to become the first undisputed super middleweight world champion.

Bivol could use his size and reach, combined with his excellent technical skills and effective jab, to keep Alvarez at a distance, perhaps even wearing down the durable star. Alvarez has occasionally been slowed by opponents with strong jabs — but other than Floyd Mayweather, no opponent has been able to turn that success into a victory.

Alvarez says he sees similarities between Bivol and Gennady Golovkin, the middleweight king who fought Canelo to a disputed draw and a narrow victory for Alvarez in their first two bouts. Alvarez and Golovkin are expected to meet again later this year.

But first, Alvarez wants to solve another puzzle presented by an opponent who looks like a significant challenge on paper — even if anyone who has watched Alvarez knows he always meets these challenges splendidly.

“The only thing I want is bring a really good fight,” Alvarez said. “He’s very confident, and I’m very confident.”