Rapper Dedicates Freestyle to Boxer Canelo Álvarez
The rapper, whose real name is Mauricio Hernández, did not hesitate to step into the ring and dedicate a freestyle to the champion in four different divisions and considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
Álvarez, along with Jay de la Cueva, composed the song 'Living Legend', inspired by Canelo's achievements, who, 24 hours before putting his champion belts on the line, was supported by hundreds of Mexican fans at the weigh-in ceremony for his third showdown against his archrival Golovkin.
Both the boxer and his team and followers agree that 'Canelo' needs a decisive victory on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada, to definitively settle the trilogy against Golovkin in his favor and also redeem himself from his unexpected loss in May against Dmitry Bivol.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, emphasized that Álvarez cannot afford another consecutive stumble.
"If 'Canelo' loses again, I think he puts himself in a terrible position. He was the pound-for-pound number one and, suddenly, he could probably be put out of the top 10 if Golovkin wins," warned the Matchroom promoter's director.
Golovkin "has already shared 24 rounds with Canelo. He knows how to fight him," he recalled. "It will be an epic fight and victory that everyone will want to see again."
Enduring the scorching midday heat of Las Vegas, hundreds of Mexicans gave a warm welcome to their idol 'Canelo' at the weigh-in ceremony in front of the fight venue, the T-Mobile Arena (about 20,000 seats), where there were still lines to buy tickets.
Received to the sound of a mariachi band, 'Canelo' weighed in at 167.4 pounds (75.93 kg), slightly lighter than the Kazakh's 167.8 pounds (76.11 kg).
The fighter from Guadalajara (Jalisco) thanked the support of his compatriots, who came to Las Vegas on the weekend of celebrations for Mexico's independence, and committed to offering them a victory by knockout.
"I know I have a great opponent in front of me, but I want to finish before the 12 rounds," he insisted.
"From the first round, I'm going to try to do it" (the knockout), said the Mexican, who is putting his four undisputed super middleweight champion belts (168 pounds - 76.2 kg) on the line.
If the mariachis sang "El Rey" to 'Canelo', Golovkin was met with a resounding boo from the audience.
"I congratulate you on Independence Day, but if you are true boxing fans, you know who the true world champion is," the Kazakh retorted, met with whistles from the crowd.
At 40 years old, Golovkin is the current middleweight champion (160 pounds - 72.6 kg) of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF), and on Saturday he will debut in the 168 pound division.