MEXICO CITY (AP) — Canelo Álvarez knows that fighting in the Middle East for the first time implies changes in his routine. However, food will not be one of them.
PUBLICIDAD
The Mexican boxer said on Friday that he will only bring Mexican chilies to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to add flavor to his usual meals before his title fight against William Scull for the undisputed super middleweight crown on May 3rd.
PUBLICIDAD
What will Canelo’s diet be like for the fight?
Álvarez’s strict diet in preparation for a fight includes chicken, steaks, and fish, all mixed with vegetables. But he believes it will taste more like home with a little Mexican flavor.
“When it comes to food, I am someone who adapts well to whatever is available. I’m not the type of person who says ‘I’ll take this because maybe you won’t find it where you’re going,‘” Alvarez said in a video call. “But one thing I do plan to bring are some árbol chilies (a long red spicy chili) to roast and give my food a better flavor.”
Saúl Canelo Álvarez, 34 years old, a world champion in four weight divisions and unified in three of them, holds the titles of the WBA, WBC, and WBO in the 168-pound division. He was stripped of the IBF belt last July when he refused to make a mandatory defense against Scull. He had held that title since November 2021 when he defeated Caleb Plant.
Who is William Scull?
Scull, who was born in Cuba, won the vacant belt by defeating Vladimir Shishkin by unanimous decision last October.
Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 knockouts) is the clear favorite against Scull (23-0, nine knockouts).
“I had always dreamed of fighting in other countries, now I have the opportunity to do it in Saudi Arabia and that motivates me. It’s something I always wanted to do and now I will face the IBF champion who has a complicated style, but at this point in my career I have fought against all styles and I have to adapt,” said the popular Canelo.
Experts say that his fight is a stepping stone for Álvarez to face Terence Crawford in September. Before Scull, there were rumors of a fight against Jake Paul.
Crawford, 37 years old (40-0, 31 knockouts), debuted at 154 pounds in August by defeating Israil Madrimov and will need to move up two weight categories to face Álvarez.
“There is nothing with Crawford, it is something that is on the table and what everyone wants, but for now I am only thinking about Scull,” Álvarez assured.
Álvarez will travel to Riyadh three weeks before the fight to adapt to a different time zone. He also plans to run at night instead of in the mornings to try to avoid the worst of the heat.
“When I fight in Las Vegas I usually arrive a week before and it’s not as complicated as it will be now, with the different time zone and weather, but we will be ready,” said the Mexican boxer.