Angulo guarantees excitement in Canelo showdown

The 31-year-old originally from Mexicali, in Baja California, the 12th largest state in Mexico, battles his countryman Canelo this weekend at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in a fight which could well go down as one of the best this year.

A likeable and affable character outside the ring, Angulo has graduated from the school of hard knocks and has fought tooth and nail for the opportunity which presents itself on Saturday night when he will look to humble one of boxing’s glamour boys.

“Every fight is important, but this one is more special because all of the fans in Mexico will know that the winner of this fight is the number one Mexican fighter,” Angulo said.

“It's a huge fight for Mexico and it's a huge fight for Canelo and me. Everyone can have their own opinion on who will win the fight. My fans know what I do in the ring and they know what to expect on Saturday night.

“My hand will be raised. I'm ready now and I will give the fans my best performance against Canelo. You will see the best Alfredo Angulo on Saturday,” he said confidently.

The light-middleweight star joined up with esteemed trainer Virgil Hunter in 2012 and the pair have looked impressive together, with Angulo giving Erislandy Lara, the man many regard as the best 154 pounder in the world, his toughest fight to date in his last bout.

Canelo himself is looking to bounce back from defeat in his last fight to pound-for-pound ace Floyd Mayweather but Angulo is determined to make it two miserable nights in a row for the 23-year-old star.

“Canelo has gained a lot of experience the last couple of years, he's a fighter that has fast hands and he can also box if he wants to, so those are maybe some of the attributes, some of the things that I have to look out for,” said Angulo.

“All I do is fight, and I let my fighting do the talking for me. Canelo knows that I'm a good fighter. I'm just glad that I have Virgil on my side to help me construct a game plan and figure out the styles,” he said.

“I am happy that I'm facing another Mexican, because as all the fans know, everybody knows when two Mexicans get in the ring it's a guaranteed show, it's a guaranteed exciting show. And March 8th, don't expect anything different,” Angulo stated.

‘El Perro’, or ‘The Dog’, as he is affectionately known, has lived in the shadow of his Mexican foe Canelo since forging his professional career, but he knows victory in his upcoming fight will allow him to step out of that in the hope of finding sunlight against boxing’s best.

“God willing, it's going to be that way [getting in the Floyd Mayweather sweepstakes]. That's what I want, that's what I'm working for, and it will happen that way [by beating Canelo],” said Angulo.

“But as far as who I want to fight next, I'm not thinking about that. I'm just thinking about Canelo Alvarez right now, that's on my mind, and it's not up to me. It's up to my team,” he said.

It's up to Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer, to decide who I'll fight next. I'm not worrying about that. The most important thing for me right now is Canelo Alvarez.”