An image rarely seen in which the Mexican champion, renowned for his serenity and calm, lost patience and ended up making a fight personal that will serve to confirm whether or not Álvarez is the best boxer of this century. And to talk about that peculiar moment, about the situation he is currently experiencing as an athlete and the challenges that remain to be overcome (when it seems that the boxers are over), we met with Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez prior to his fight this Saturday the 6th November in Las Vegas.

GQ: Saúl, you are not usually seen angry or out of your mind before a fight and that surprised everyone... do you think the dynamics of the fight change much after the previous confrontations you have had with your rival? Caleb Plant?

SA: There comes a time when you can cross your patience line...and it has. I don't usually get involved in bickering, nor do I get out of my concentration on what I want to talk about in a fight, but here I got tired. His mouth went wild, he talked about my family, my team, my friends and I got out of control and got angry. I am angry and seldom does anyone make me angry. But this does not change the dynamic, I will continue working on the strategy that was prepared and when it is time to enjoy, it will be enjoyed.

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— Daryl Chung Thu Apr 23 12:00:04 +0000 2020

The world is back, sports and entertainment are active and Las Vegas seems to be a charm for your career, what does it mean to return to fight before the people and how do you feel before the revival?

They were two difficult years for all of us and whatever you did. I feel that today that we are back, the expectations are very high on both sides: from us, the fighters, who want to give it our all after not knowing when we would return, and from the public, who is eager to witness great live fights again. So we both have to give everything so that soon we can enjoy every activity to the fullest.

Do you think your relationship with the Mexican public in general has improved or how do you feel about it today?

It definitely improves every day and every fight. I feel that love and passion for my work and I think we all want to be together and show it, we'll see what the future says. The truth is that I love my country and feel very much back. We can't outrun haters and trolls who will never be given satisfaction, but I learned a long time ago not to pay attention to places and people like that.

Does retirement feel closer or is it still a non-issue?

No, I don't think about it, which doesn't mean I don't work on it. What I want to say is that I am still in love with boxing and I want to continue dedicating my life to it until the feeling is no longer like that. I prepare for the future, I continue in my real estate business and forge a future for mine, but today boxing is definitely my job and what I want to do.

Do you still feel fear when fighting or is it an emotion that you managed to leave behind?

I think all fighters have fear, the issue is how you use and interpret it. That fear is a feeling that allows you to be clear about what you do, why you do it and how, and it doesn't let you forget who you are. It doesn't have to be a feeling of negativity or cowardice, it can also be an engine.

What do you expect and what can people expect from Saturday's fight against Plant?

He is a complicated fighter who I have studied and understand what damage he can do and how he can be hurt. I am focused on achieving the objective and I have worked for it, so I hope that the strategy is being fulfilled and we are able to win. Anger adds up, but it does not change the work we have done for many years.

Finally, many notes were written saying that you are the mediator between J. Balvin and Residente after their confrontation over the Latin Grammys, is that true?

No, it's not true and I don't know where they invented it, but it's not like that. I am a very respectful person and they are both my friends and they will know how to settle their differences. I have nothing to do giving my opinion, mediating or helping them. It was definitely a bad joke that they wrote that.