Teddy Atlas Names The 23-Year-Old Star Who Canelo ‘Wants No Part Of’: “He’s A Nightmare”

Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez says he will face anyone for the right money.

The 34-year-old from Mexico has fought his way into a position of extreme power over 65 fights, commanding impressive numbers in both pay-per-view buys and gates.

He recently summed up his standing in the sport in response to being stripped of one of his four super-middleweight world titles for not facing a mandatory challenger, saying “I’m not gonna do whatever they want. I’m gonna do whatever I want. Because I deserve it, because of all I have done.”

Another number one contender who could soon be knocking on the door is 23-year-old Diego Pacheco, fresh off a stoppage win over Maciej Sulecki.

Speaking on his podcast, famed trainer turned analyst Teddy Atlas said the 6′ 4″ puncher posed a ‘nightmare’ for the champion.

“I gotta answer your question direct – I’m not saying he’s afraid, what I’m saying is Pacheco represents a bad match-up style-wise for Canelo at this point in his career … He’s terrific Canelo, he’s a great counterpuncher, he’s got power, he’s achieved great things, but when you start getting older and you start slowing down a little bit in certain areas, the first thing that’s a problem is legs.

It’s harder to close a gap with the older legs. You’re more susceptible. The physical style of Pacheco is a nightmare match-up, I believe, for Canelo … You can’t counter a guy that’s as tall and long as Pacheco and knows how to use that length. There’s nothing to counter. You’re gonna shadow box all night.”

Atlas then said he would like Pacheco to get another fight under his belt before the title challenge, but doesn’t believe it will happen anyway.

“For me to be comfortable I’d want Pacheco to get one more, but you gotta be careful who you fight because you don’t want to lose your mandatory spot. If anything, you want to force Canelo to show he don’t want to fight you … I think Canelo wants no part of it for the reason I just laid out.

The style at this point in his life with this 23-year-old kid who can punch, who’s got a jab as long as a phone pole. I don’t think Canelo’s gonna jump at that. He’s already shown that he has no problem avoiding guys that he doesn’t feel comfortably with. He’s the golden goose, he can get away with it … He earned it by being the pay-per-view king, but if you want to be the greatest you should fight everybody.”

Canelo is next out against Edgar Berlanga on September 14.