Arlington (United States) (AFP)
“Mexico! Canelo! Mexico!”: The pre-fight weigh-in, which will pit “Canelo” Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders against Saturday for the reunification of the WBC, WBA, WBO super middleweight titles, offered a taste festive in the presence of some 3,000 white-hot fans.
Arlington, a quiet Texan city located on the western outskirts of Dallas, is already by its proximity to Mexico, naturally steeped in its culture. At the foot of the huge AT&T Stadium, which will host 70,000 people for this clash constituting the first sporting event to bring together so many people since the appearance of the Covid in the United States, there was only the presentation of the boxers made in English to remind us that we were really there.
Several hours before the weigh-in began, the supporters of "Canelo" had already gathered in front of the first barriers, ready to spring up when they opened to take up a position on the best spots on the esplanade where the organizer of the event had decided to relocate this traditional barnum, in the open air under a nice dodger.
Nothing that can not alter these boxing aficionados, their country and their hero, it being understood that the pro-Saunders British could not leave their island to join the United States anyway, coronavirus requires.
After the passage on the scales of 14 boxers (eight fights will take place), including the Frenchman Souleymane Cissokho who will challenge another Englishman, Kieron Conway, in the super-welterweights, Saunders, first under the boos, then Canelo, under the cheers, climbed the steps and unveiled their bust of gladiators.
After being officially declared eligible for combat, each within the authorized weight limit (75.93 kg for Alvarez, 76.11 kg for Saunders), they approached almost nose to nose, with the stone gaze of circumstance. .
All punctuated by a few inaudible words from Saunders greeted by a negative nod from Canelo, telling him to be careful.
More than 24 hours before making their fists speak.
© 2021 AFP