'Canelo' Alvarez out to prove a point against Charlo

LAS VEGAS – Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is out to prove he remains the king of middleweight boxing when he puts his titles on the line against Jermell Charlo on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) in a clash of undisputed world champions in Las Vegas.

The veteran Mexican superstar heads into Saturday's battle at the T-Mobile Arena with some in boxing wondering whether he is a fading force, after a sequence of recent performances that have fallen short of his normally dazzling standards.

The 33-year-old was comprehensively beaten by Dmitrii Bivol last year when he attempted to step up to light heavyweight in pursuit of the Russian's world title.

He then delivered an underwhelming unanimous decision win in his trilogy fight against an aging Gennady Golovkin, before laboring to a points victory over Britain's John Ryder in May.

Those displays have fueled belief that Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 knockouts) may well be ripe for the taking against undisputed junior middleweight champion Charlo (35-1-1, 19 knockouts), who is stepping up two weight divisions — from 154 pounds to Alvarez's preferred 168 pounds — in a bid to wrest the Mexican's IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight belts.

While Charlo will start as a clear underdog, the skillful 33-year-old from Louisiana nevertheless has the speed and punching ability to cause Alvarez problems.

Los Angeles-based Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach is one of many neutrals in boxing who believes this weekend could witness an upset.

"I love the attitude Charlo brings into the ring," Roach said. "He cannot be intimidated. He has a great chin and doesn't get fazed by getting hit.

"While both men can fight, I think Charlo will have too much fire power for Canelo to handle."

Alvarez takes that kind of