Wednesday 24 August 2016 22:43, UK
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is expecting fireworks when he fights Britain's Liam Smith for his WBO light-middleweight title on September 17 in Texas.
Alvarez (47-1-1-KO33) faces an English opponent for the second fight in succession after knocking out Amir Khan in devastating fashion in the sixth round of their bout in May.
Smith (23-0-1-KO13) goes into the fight as a heavy underdog despite a run of eight straight stoppage victories that saw him pick up the vacant title by beating John Thompson, before successfully defending it against Jimmy Kelly and Predrag Radosevic.
Alvarez, who is Ring Magazine's lineal middleweight champion, says he chose Smith as an opponent because of his aggressive approach and plans to put on a show for his fans.
"I have looked at him - and the style more than anything is what we like," said Alvarez.
"He's a good fighter, he's a champion and he's very strong. He's got a Mexican style - a guy who stands there and likes to exchange punches. That's one of the things that attracted us to the fight.
"Part of the reason for choosing him is he's a world champion. I want to win another world title in my weight class, 154, and then after that we'll see what's available.
"I don't think he's going to change his style. I think that he's going to do what he does best and be aggressive and throw combinations, keep coming forward.
"I'm always ready for any style; I prepare myself for any style and I'll be ready for anything."
The fight will be Smith's first outside the UK, and the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington is set to provide an intimidating setting.
Alvarez will be a heavy crowd favourite but the Mexican star is not counting on the atmosphere to give him an advantage.
"I'm preparing for the best possible Liam Smith there is," Alvarez said. "I don't think about the crowd, I don't think about people cheering, I just go up there and my focus is to get the job done."
Alvarez' decision to fight Smith instead of WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin surprised many observers after Canelo expressed his willingness to face Kazakh knockout artist in the ring following his win over Khan.
Oscar de la Hoya, who promotes Alvarez, refuted suggestions that the decision to fight Smith was based on fearing unbeaten Golovkin, who has won 32 of his 35 contests by knockout.
"He's a 54 pounder and he's going to go up to 60 when he feels ready," De La Hoya said.
"When you're on top of the world - and that's what Canelo is now, he's the star fighter in boxing - people want you to fight the very best, and he has always fought the very best.
"Golovkin is going to be no exception - he's going to fight him, but when he's ready to go up to 160."
