Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to train for Floyd Mayweather in Big Bear
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, in a nod to the cardio endurance test that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will pose in September, will make Big Bear his full-time training home.
Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 knockouts) has spent recent camps training in Santa Monica at a gym owned by Hollywood director Peter Berg and comedian Garry Shandling, but he’s decided in preparation for his Sept. 14 super-fight against the unbeaten Mayweather that he’ll make former world champion Shane Mosley’s Big Bear home his base.
“It’s music to my ears, and it goes to show you a) how much he loves training, and b) how serious he’s taking it,” Alvarez promoter and mentor Oscar De La Hoya said Friday. “Up there, it’s 100% total focus with none of the distractions that come with being a boxing superstar.
“He knows that, and I think it will for sure help him.”
Alvarez positioned himself for a shot at Mayweather Jr. in late April by defeating previously unbeaten super-welterweight world champion Austin Trout before more than 39,000 at San Antonio’s Alamodome.
Experts who’ve assessed the Mayweather matchup say the charismatic 22-year-old from Mexico has to improve his penchant for tiring in later rounds against the fitness and defensive wonder Mayweather.
By remaining in the high altitude of Big Bear for two months before Mayweather, Alvarez should expect to have his energy-boosting red blood cells increase.
“It depends on how hard he trains, but I expect him to keep in mind he has to be ready to fight 12 hard rounds, throwing punches every single second,” De La Hoya said. “That’s how good of shape he has to be in, because Mayweather is not going to give anything less.”
De La Hoya, who fought Mayweather to a split-decision loss in 2007 and previously trained under the fighter’s father and current trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., said he intends to spend significant time with Alvarez in Big Bear rehearsing a victorious fight plan.
“I know how Mayweather Sr. gets his fighters in shape. … I know the fundamentals and situations to work on,” De La Hoya said. “I will bring that to the table and pass it on to ‘Canelo’ on a consistent basis.”
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