Five keys for Canelo Alvarez

By
BERNARDO PILATTI via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
via
July 12, 2014, 1:15 PM ET
1 min read

— -- Former junior middleweight titlist Canelo Alvarez will be facing a dangerous challenge in Cuba's Erislandy Lara in a 12-round battle  on Saturday (9 p.m. ET, Showtime PPV)  at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Alvarez (43-1-1, 31 KOs) has fought southpaw opponents, but none as complicated as Lara (19-1-2, 12 KOs), who, along with his technical virtues, has more speed and mobility.

Will Canelo be able to impose his superior punching power and his aggressiveness?

Here are five keys Alvarez should consider before Saturday's fight:

Feel the power

Make the ring smaller

Body shots

Captain hook

Don't fall asleep