Julio Cesar Chavez, fondly known as the 'Cesar of Boxing,' recently offered his thoughts on Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez’s performance and career during an interview with journalist Adela Micha. Canelo, who began boxing at the age of 15, is marking 20 years in the sport. Despite such a prolific career, Chavez highlighted elements that might be affecting his current form.
Chavez pointed out how age and a long list of fights can take their toll on even the most seasoned boxers. Over time, daily training regimes catch up with athletes. "'Age does not forgive. In addition, 'Canelo' already looks tired. He started very young, at 15 years old, he has been fighting for 20 years," Chavez remarked.
His comments further delved into factors beyond just fight numbers. The mental and physical demands of constant preparation ultimately strain any athlete's body, according to Chavez. Addressing Canelo's condition, he added, "And it's not so much the fights that fuck you up; it's the concentrations: being there, training every day; the body gets tired and more so when you have so much money."
The unexpected defeat against Terence Crawford in September seemed to surprise many in the boxing community. Although Julio Cesar Chavez didn't manage to speak with Canelo directly after the fight, he did extend his support publicly via television. Reflecting on that occasion: "None of us expected that surprise. I haven't spoken to him; I sent him a greeting on television," highlighting the unpredictability inherent in boxing: "Nobody thought that he was going to beat him (Crawford), he came from three different weights but that's boxing."
As Canelo navigates this phase in his career amidst immense success and expectations, insights from fellow veterans like Chavez offer a broader perspective on what it takes to stay at the top in competitive sports for decades.
