WBC super welterweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will defend his title against gritty opponent Josesito Lopez in a 12-round title fight Saturday at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

The 22-year-old undefeated Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOs) will be making his fifth title defense and is heavily favoured to beat Lopez, who is fighting for a title for the first time.

Lopez (30-4, 18 KOs) is moving up in weight class to 154 pounds (70 kilograms) after upsetting Victor Ortiz for a 147-pound title on June 23, but few expect him to win the fight against Alvarez.

“I know I’m going against one of the best out there,” Lopez said. “But (Alvarez) is a fighter I think that I can beat.” The boxer said he planned to fight “smart, with a fast pace.” 

“We’re a little more active in the ring than he is. We’re going to push him. We are not going to let him get 30 seconds of waiting around. We can’t wait. We have to be the first to attack,” said Lopez.

“I know I’m in for a rough night but it’s not a fight we can’t win.”  On the undercard, WBC featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez defends his title against former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and former world champion Marcos Maidana faces challenger Jesus Soto Karass in another 12-round fight.

IBF bantamweight world champ Leo Santa Cruz also goes against former two-time world champion Eric Morel.