Trainer Buddy McGirt warned that if Canelo Alvarez figures out Billy Joe Saunders’ approach in the ring, he will need little else to claim a victory.
Alvarez and Saunders will fight in Texas on May 8 shown on DAZN across the world (except in Mexico), with the WBA, WBC and WBO belts on the line, now that the pair have resolved the dispute over the size of their ring .
Saunders is regarded as the Mexican’s toughest opponent in years, perhaps since Floyd Mayweather in 2013, but McGirt thinks the onus is on Saunders to keep his opponent from working out his game plan.
“I think it’s going to be pretty interesting for as long as Saunders keeps Canleo out of rhythm, but once Canelo figures you out, it’s a wrap,” he told DAZN’s Boxing Show .
He then said Saunders would have to be operating with such focus to carry him through 15 rounds of examination, even if the fight is only down to last 12.
“If he can sustain that for 15 rounds - not 12, that’s the kind of frame of mind he's got to be in - for 15 rounds, if he loses focus one seconds and lets Canelo get in the groove, it’s over,” he said.