© Provided by Boxing Junkie No matter how you feel about Canelo Alvarez as a fighter you have to acknowledge one thing: The guy isn't afraid of a challenge.
Consider the last year and a half of his career. He will have fought three times for major titles in three different weight classes, Daniel Jacobs (middleweight), Sergey Kovalev (light heavyweight) and Callum Smith, who will defend his super middleweight title against Alvarez on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
When Alvarez talks about making history, he means it.
"I like taking risks," he said through a translator during a news conference Thursday afternoon. "Taking this fight is taking a risk. He's No. 1 at 168. So that's a challenge for me. I want to continue to bring challenges forward.
"I like the risk of it, I like continuing to take challenges to continue making history."
© Provided by Boxing Junkie Canelo Alvarez (left) has a mountain to climb Saturday. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
Of course, living dangerously is nothing new for Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs), who took a risk by starting his pro career as a 15-year-old in 2005.
At 22, some in his camp thought it was too soon for him to fight Austin Trout in 2013. He insisted and emerged victorious. He couldn't pass up a chance to face Floyd Mayweather in his next fight but, still developing at 23, it was certainly a risk. Mayweather won by a wide decision.
Erislandy Lara was a boogeyman because of his unusual skill set - few wanted a piece of him - but Alvarez, against the best judgment of some around him, wanted the fight and won a split decision.
And, in his most-recent fight, he jumped two weight classes to challenge Kovalev for a 175-pound title in November of last year. Kovalev had probably slipped to some degree but everyone acknowledged that Alvarez had made a bold move. He stopped the Russian in 11 rounds.
That's been the story of his career. He's had some relatively easy fights - James Kirkland, Amir Khan, Rocky Fielding - but he has always gravitated to more-capable opponents.
Smith is one of the good ones. The Liverpudlian doesn't have the ability of Alvarez - few do - but he's a good, seasoned boxer with significant size advantages over the challenger. He has a 7-inch edge in height, 7½-inch reach advantage and is the naturally bigger man all-around.
Plus, he, like Alvarez, is in his prime. They're both 30 years old.
© Provided by Boxing Junkie Alvarez will be fighting for the vacant WBC and Callum Smith's Ring Magazine belts (pictured at top), as well as Smith's WBA title. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
"We do know he's tall," said Alvarez, a head shorter than Smith when they stand side by side. "And we know he has great boxing qualities. So that makes him dangerous. With my experience, my level of boxing, I'm ready for this.
"I want to continue making history and taking risks like this. This is what I'm here for."
If things go well for Alvarez on Saturday, he'll have many options as he enters the new year. He could face Gennadiy Golovkin a third time on Cinco de Mayo weekend. He could target top 168-pounders Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders or David Benavidez. And more light heavyweights are undoubtedly in his sights.
The theme remains the same. In other words, bring on the next challenge.
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