Beverly Hills (United States) (AFP)

A small fight before the big fight: the Mexican Canelo Alvarez and the American Caleb Plant, who are to face each other on November 6, for the unification of the titles in the super-middleweight, did not wait to exchange a few blows in press conference, Tuesday in Los Angeles.

It was even before the start of the conference held outdoors in a Beverly Hills hotel, when the two boxers faced each other face to face, as tradition dictates, that the tension suddenly rose a notch. , with names of birds sent to each other.

On which Alvarez pushed quite violently Plant, who tried in reply a left hook, dodged by his rival, who countered him with a series of hooks from the left, well done this one, and from the right.

The two men were then separated by an army of big arms, Plant having inherited after this short exchange of a beautiful gash under the right eye.

This foretaste could have a negative impact on the fight scheduled in seven weeks in Las Vegas, because if a serious injury was noted a postponement could be ordered.

Canelo (31 years old, 56 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss) must put his WBC, WBA, WBO super middleweight titles back into play, Plant (29 years old, 21 wins in as many fights) his IBF belt.

The winner will be the undisputed world champion of the category.

The press conference was then finally held, the Mexican explaining to have taken offense at an insult targeting his mother, himself having been heard speaking one of the same type in Plant just after pushing the American.

"He can say whatever he wants about me, but not about my mother," he argued.

"All we did was stare at each other. He had something to say, I had something to say. He was going to hit me, I was going to hit him. And then he went. does what he did, ”said Plant.

The latter then accused the Mexican of using doping, recalling that he had been suspended for six months in 2018, after having tested positive for clenbuterol.

"You're a drug addict cheater ... a cheater," he said.

"Don't look for excuses before the fight," replied Alvarez angrily.

© 2021 AFP