HIS PARTY MAY BE A BASH

Álvarez set to celebrate iconic 20-year career with bout in Vegas

- BY JAD EL REDA

JOHN LOCHER Associated Press

CANELO ÁLVAREZ, shown last year, will fight undefeated Terence Crawford on Saturday on the grand stage of Allegiant Stadium.

The history of Mexican boxing features names that transcend generations. From Julio César Chávez, recognized as the pinnacle of Mexican boxing, to legendary figures such as Juan Manuel Márquez, Rubén 'Púas' Olivares, Salvador Sánchez, Ricardo 'Finito' López and Carlos 'Cañas' Zárate - all have proudly carried the name of Mexican flag to the peak of the boxing world.

The tradition of Aztec dominance has been continued in a big way by Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez, who on Oct. 29 will celebrate a historic 20-year professional career that began when he was just 15 years old, when he made his professional debut against Abraham González. Two decades later, with a legacy built on titles and big stages, Álvarez paused to reflect on his development from redheaded teenager who dreamed of being the best in the world to the current king of Mexican boxing with 63 victories.

"I've achieved everything in boxing, imagine how satisfying that is for me," Álvarez told L.A. Times en Español during his training camp in Reno, Nev.

The celebration has already been planned and, like everything else involving Álvarez, it will be private but "on a grand scale." The magnitude will likely depend on whether he emerges victorious when he belts defends his four against the undefeated Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOS) Saturday (6 p.m., Netflix), at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

"I think I've done some really good things in boxing and I'm very proud of that kid who started out with the dream of being the best in the world," said the 35-yearold from Jalisco.