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Full coverage: Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

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Junior middleweight world titleholder Canelo Alvarez goes up in weight to face fellow Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at a catchweight of 164.5 pounds Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Alvarez (48-1-1, 34 KOs), who said he will campaign as a full-fledged 160-pound middleweight following his showdown with Chavez, hasn't lost a fight since dropping a majority decision against Floyd Mayweather in 2013 and enters the fight against Chavez as the favorite.

Chavez (50-2-1, 32 KOs) has won two fights in a row after a TKO loss to Andrzej Fonfara two years ago.

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Ringside Seat: A complete guide to Canelo-Chavez Jr.
Dan Rafael looks at the building rivalry and what's at stake during the all-Mexican battle in Las Vegas between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. -- Dan Rafael

How Cinco de Mayo became a boxing holiday
While Cinco de Mayo is celebrated as if it is Mexican Independence Day in the United States, it isn't. It is, however, a boxing holiday that is embraced by fans around the world. -- Arash Markazi

Predictions: Who wins Alvarez vs. Chavez Jr.?
For several years Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. have been on a collision course. Now that the fight is here, the question is: Who wins? Our experts share their predictions.

Mayweather: Canelo to knock out Chavez Jr.
In a radio interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, Floyd Mayweather picked Canelo Alvarez over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for Saturday's fight in Las Vegas. -- ESPN.com news services

Chavez under limit, in 'top shape' for Canelo
Saying it's his "job" to make weight, a gaunt Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. surprised many by coming in a half-pound under the 164.5-pound limit Friday as he heads into his showdown with Canelo Alvarez. -- Dan Rafael

No love lost between Alvarez, Chavez
Mexican star Canelo Alvarez has sure been in some big fights but none that seemed as personal as the one he has coming up with bitter rival Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday. -- Dan Rafael

Science shows that Canelo's combos will loom large
Sport Science finds that Canelo Alvarez can dish out over a ton of force in under a second.

Quigley expects Canelo-Alvarez to be amazing fight
Middleweight Jason Quigley offers his take on the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Video: De La Hoya has high expectations for Chavez Jr.- Alvarez
Oscar De La Hoya believes fans will demand a fight when Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. and Canelo Alvarez step in the ring.

ESPN Chalk's Betting Guide: Canelo-Chavez Jr
The spectacle of Canelo Alvarez versus Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will have the attention of the boxing world and the betting value may vary significantly based on Friday's weigh-in. -- Johnny Wilds

Keys to victory: Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez will be the smaller man inside the ring against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday. However, he's also the favorite, and there are a few things he can do to secure a victory. -- Bernardo Pilatti

Keys to victory: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. says he's in the best shape of his career to face Canelo Alvarez on Saturday. But just in case, Bernardo Pilatti suggests some things Chavez should do to get the victory.

Power, tradition and legacy highlight Canelo-Chavez Jr.
The only two Mexican-born fighters to win a middleweight title will square off Saturday. It's Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. -- ESPN Stats & Info

Liam Smith expects Canelo Alvarez to face Gennady Golovkin after Chavez Jr.
Liam Smith expects Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to stop Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday and move on to fight Gennady Golovkin next. -- Nick Parkinson

Chavez: 'This fight is special and has motivated me to train hard'
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has dealt with constant problems making weight and lack of interest in training during his career. He's now ready to leave that behind for the biggest fight of his life. -- Dan Rafael

Canelo vs. Chavez: Nothing quite like a showdown between two Mexican boxers
The latest manifestation of Mexico's enduring love affair with "boxeo" takes place this Saturday night, when native sons Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. battle in Las Vegas. -- Nigel Collins

Atlas wonders if Chavez Jr. was 'hiding'
Teddy Atlas says Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was the "opposite of being loose" at Wednesday's news conference.

Pressure will be a determining factor in Las Vegas for Canelo-Chavez Jr.
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. talks about the pressure of fighting in Las Vegas and the importance of knowing how to handle it

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.'s top fights
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has had very impressive victories in his career, but some of his best nights in the ring came years ago. -- Nick Parkinson

The impact of De La Hoya-Chavez Sr.
Antonietta Collins describes the impact that the June 1996 fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. had on her life and how Saturday's bout between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. can inspire a new generation.

Meet Canelo Alvarez ... outside the ring
Due to his humble background and hard start, Canelo Alvarez had to mature quickly. That's why he has cared so much about all aspects of his career, both inside and outside the ring. -- Evaristo Lara and Andoni Biurrarena

Top Mexican boxing rivalries prior to Canelo vs. Chavez Jr.
Morales-Barrera, Zarate-Zamora and Marquez-Vazquez are some of the storied bouts between Mexican champions that set the stage for Canelo-Chavez Jr. -- Eric Gomez

Alvarez's best wins ahead of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. showdown
Canelo Alvarez goes into Saturday's fight with Mexican rival Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as one of boxing's biggest global stars. -- Nick Parkinson

Atlas' fight plan for Canelo-Chavez Jr.
Teddy Atlas gets in the ring to show the keys to victory for both Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. ahead of their showdown.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.'s coaches
Bernardo Osuna and Julio Cesar "The Legend" Chavez debate about the coaches who trained Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Weight issues aside, Canelo and Chavez ready for tough fight
Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. finally settled on a catchweight of 164.5 pounds for their megafight on Saturday that matches the two biggest names currently in Mexican boxing. -- Dan Rafael

Alvarez moving to middleweight after Chavez bout
Canelo Alvarez will fight full time as a middleweight after he faces Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Las Vegas. -- Dan Rafael

Former promoter seeks $8.5M from Canelo
Tuto Zabala Jr., the former promoter for Canelo Alvarez, is seeking to garnish $8.5 million from Alvarez's purse for the bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. -- Dan Rafael

Long-anticipated Canelo-Chavez bout on May 6
In what might be the biggest all-Mexican fight in boxing history, Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will square off in a long-anticipated match on Cinco de Mayo weekend. -- Dan Rafael

Canelo-Chavez Jr. clash set for T-Mobile Arena
Golden Boy Promotions chose T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas over AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, as the site of the showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. -- Dan Rafael

Canelo, Chavez Jr. back off purse wager talk
Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. said there will be no purse wager between his son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and Canelo Alvarez for their May 6 bout. -- ESPN.com news services

Canelo, Chavez willing to bet entire purses on fight
While exchanging words at a news conference ahead of their May 6 bout, both Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. agreed to bet their entire fight purses against each other. -- ESPN.com news services

Alvarez explains dramatic rise in weight for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight
Now that it's official that Mexican stars Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will meet in a huge all-Mexican showdown on May 6 (HBO PPV) -- Cinco de Mayo weekend -- at a site to be determined, one of the central storylines sure to be dissected until fight night is the question of weight. -- Dan Rafael

En español: ESPN DEPORTES & ESPN MEXICO

Cinco claves para la victoria de Canelo Alvarez
Canelo enfrenta la incógnita de las consecuencias del aumento de peso luego del pesaje (si gana o pierde poder o el exceso de tonelaje lo agota temprano), además de un plan de pelea donde deberá confrontar a un rival más grande y con mayor poder en la pegada. Para lograr la victoria, el tapatío deberá tener en cuenta las siguientes cinco claves. Bernardo Pilatti

Cinco claves para la victoria de Julio César Chávez Jr.
Al desafío de una buena recuperación física, Chávez agrega la necesidad de acertar con su plan de pelea y ser efectivo en su golpeo. Para lograr la victoria, el "Hijo de la Leyenda" deberá tomar en cuenta las siguientes cinco claves. Bernardo Pilatti

Canelo y Chávez Jr.: México es primero
Por fin, en algo coincidieron Canelo Álvarez y Julio César Chávez Jr.: que todo México se sienta orgulloso de ellos este fin de semana. -- Salvador Rodríguez

Canelo Alvarez no aceptará cinturón del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo
Canelo Álvarez aseguró que no aceptará el cinturón huichol que mandó hacer el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo. Salvador Rodriguez

Los jueces en la mira de Joe Cortez
En la Esquina de Joe se analiza y mide el nivel del referee y los jueces, que estarán presentes en la gran pelea entre Canelo y Chávez Jr

Promete Chávez Jr. dar lo mejor de sí ante Canelo Alvarez
Julio César Chávez Jr. reconoce que esta vez dista de ser el consentido y que ni siquiera el gran apellido boxístico que lleva será arma el sábado por la noche. Carlos A. Nava

Canelo Alvarez siente que el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo lo traicionó
Cree que fue injusta la manera en que le arrebataron, abajo del cuadrilátero el título mundial Mediano a favor de Gennady Golovkin, por falta de un enfrentamiento mutuo. -- Carlos A. Nava

Asegura Canelo Alvarez que él representa mejor a México
Julio César Chávez Jr. aseguró a su llegada a Las Vegas que está listo para quitarle a Canelo Álvarez las fechas mexicanas en el boxeo. Salvador Rodríguez

Tres Tristes Tigres: Imperdible el Canelo vs. Chávez Jr.
Los Tres Tristes Tigres nos narran todo lo que tienes que saber acerca del gran duelo mexicano en una divertida canción.

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