Russ Anber talks about Eleider Alvarez

By Ivan Montiel

24/01/2020

Russ Anber talks about Eleider Alvarez

Ivan Montiel: Let's talk about [former WBO light heavyweight champion] Eleider Alvarez [pictured]. I know you work with him too. There’s already talks that his knock out of Michael Seals will be a knockout of the year candidate for 2020. Russ Anber: Well with 2020 only being three weeks old, that’s not bad.  I think I was quite clear with my post on Instagram.  I said it wasn’t the fight that we were hoping for. [It was] a mediocre fight with Seals being an awkward guy, but it produced a potential knockout of 2020.  With that win, Alvarez put himself right back in the mix in the light heavyweight division.
 
IM: Why was Alvarez looking up at the big screen throughout the fight?
 
RA: You have to ask him that.  Maybe he was looking at the time [left in the round].  I know he was looking at both myself and [head trainer] Marc Ramsay from time to time.  I have no idea, I’d be lying to you if I gave you an answer.
 
IM: The knockout was nice but it took quite a few rounds for it to come.  Do you think maybe it took that long because Alvarez respected Seals' power?
 
RA: I think so because after the fight, in his dressing room, Alvarez showed me his forearm which had several welts. That’s how hard Seals punches.  It’s possible even though Alvarez defended himself well,  he still felt Seals' power.  You’re going to feel the power in your gloves and shoulders. There’s no doubt you’re going to feel that kind of power.  Maybe that’s what kept Alvarez cautious before landing that Hail Mary! 
 
IM: I am hearing that it’s either [former IBF super middleweight champion] Gilberto Ramirez or Joe Smith Jr. next for Alvarez.
 
RA: Correct!  I like both of those match-ups.  Either one of these will be better than the Seals fight.  Seals isn’t a busy fighter.  Seals like to hold. Smith doesn’t even know how to spell hold, he just likes to fight coming forward.  Smith is not looking to hold, he’s coming to fight!  Smith doesn’t care where he hits you, he just comes to work. Ramirez is a completely a different type of fighter.  He's a southpaw, who gets hit, but he’s willing to take a punch in order to land a punch of his own.  Between the two fighters, I like Ramirez [as a preferred opponent for Alvarez].
 
IM: Your right. I also like both Ramirez and Smith... the light heavyweight division is stacked.
 
RA: Yes, but I think it’s a little more difficult with Smith because he brings an awkwardness which you can’t believe.
 
IM: Your right again. Smith showed that awkwardness in his most recent win over Jessie Hart.
 
RA: Exactly. Even in that twelfth and final round, Smith still pounded Hart pillar to post.
 
IM: Smith was up on the scorecards, especially on my scorecard. It truly is amazing to see a fighter fight that way going into the final round even when he’s already winning the fight.  Speaking of Alvarez, though, I would also love to see a third fight between him and Sergey Kovalev [Alvarez won the first but lost the second fight vs. Kovalev]. What do you think?
 
RA: I would love to see that fight one more time, especially after Alvarez's KO win over Seals. Another fight with Kovalev should happen now.  I don’t think Kovalev should take another fight because he could get beat, or even damaged and possibly losing his confidence.  I agree with you Ivan, it would be sad to not see a trilogy between two fighters with Alvarez stopping Kovalev in their first fight then losing the rematch by points. I think it’s a deserving rematch.
 
IM: Let’s wait and see what happens I guess. Russ thanks once again for taking the time off your busy schedule.  By the way I can’t wait for [IBF lightheavyweight champion]n Artur Beterbiev versus Fanlong Meng.
 
RA: Thanks Ivan. Artur Beterbiev versus Fanlong Meng is happening on March 28th in Quebec!
 

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