Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez: 'I never believe what fame tells me. I believe only in hard work’

Mexico’s finest, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on Saturday’s bout with Billy Joe Saunders, childhood bullies and the pitfalls of fame.

Mexican boxing legend Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez prepares to train at his gym in San Diego, California. Ãlvarez is preparing for his upcoming fight against Billy Joe Saunders which takes place tomorrow in Arlington, Texas. Picture: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

"I love this,” Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez says as he looks around the scattered debris of his gym in San Diego. His intense gaze scans the heavy bags and speedballs, the hand wraps and water bottles, the gloves and head guards, with an empty ring at its very heart.

It’s just after 10 in the morning and the familiar clatter and din of his training camp has already begun for the day. Álvarez, the best boxer in the world, turns back to my Zoom screen and then, leaning forward, he speaks in Spanish with surprising ardour for a 30-year-old fighter who has been boxing professionally for more than half his life: “I love it. I’m always motivated because I love boxing.”