Canelo Alvarez highlights big 'risk' fighting Callum Smith at 168lbs who is 'believing he can beat anyone'

Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith spoke ahead of their super middleweight clash at the press conference on Thursday

On Saturday night, we will witness a blockbuster showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith for the WBA Super, Ring Magazine and vacant WBC World Super-Middleweight titles on Saturday December 19 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, live on DAZN in 200+ countries and territories worldwide and on TV Azteca in Mexico.

Canelo returns to the ring after a period out, having not fought since 2019 against Sergey Kovalev while Callum Smith remains undefeated and fought John Ryder last time out where he claimed a unanimous decision vcitory.

Here are the press conference quotes from Texas ahead of Saturday night's huge super middleweight showdown:

Canelo Alvarez:

"We’re always ready for great challenges, thank God we were able to make this fight before the end of the year. We’re ready to end 2020 with a bang.

Alvarez added: "I like taking risks. This fight is a risk. We’re taking on the number one at 168, but I like these challenges in order to continue making history.

"We know he is tall and has great boxing qualities. That makes him dangerous, but with my level of boxing we’re willing to take the risks and that is what we are in this for.

"This will be a very good fight and an explosive fight. If an opportunity arises to win by knockout, I will take it. The fans love a knockout in boxing and if I can create an opportunity, I will go for it."

Callum Smith:

"I’m a relaxed person, but this is where I always wanted to be, ever since I was a kid I wanted the biggest fights possible and there is no bigger fight than this one. Canelo is a superstar and the pound-for-pound best but I am going to prove I belong at the elite level.

"I’m not just a big lump with limited ability. I’ve got the skills to go with it. I’ve not got to perform and do exactly what I need to do. I’ve always believed I can beat him, and I’ve got the style to prove it on Saturday.

"I understand I’m the underdog. On social media, people haven’t given me a chance. But that was the same when I won the world title. I wouldn’t agree to this fight if I felt I was going to lose.

"As soon as Canelo moved to 168, I knew I had to keep winning my fights and ensure the only fight for him that made sense was me. I want to keep my titles, stay undefeated and prove myself as an elite fighter.

"I’m world champion. I believe in my ability and I believe I can beat anyone."

Credit: Matchroom Boxing

Joe Gallagher- Callum Smith's Trainer:

"This has all the makings of a great rivalry, one that could become a trilogy between the two fighters, for me to sit down at home and devise a gameplan to win on points, you may as well take me to the asylum now," he continued. "We’ve seen what has happened in the past with performances not being reflected on the scorecards.

"This is the first time Canelo has fought someone at this level who is his own age. Usually they’re always a bit older. We’ve always been confident that Callum is the right kid to do the job."

Eddy Reynoso- Canelo Alvarez's Trainer:

"We’re very excited. We want to continue to fight the best opponents, and there’s no doubt that Callum Smith is the best at 168 pounds.

We’re excited to be back and to show that we are the best in the world. They are both explosive fighters. They both like to end their fights explosively.

"Mexicans are very loud and enthusiastic, so it will sound like there are 100,000 fans in there."

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