Stopping the adrenaline junkie is the challenge facing Liverpool?s Liam Smith tomorrow when he puts his WBO light-middleweight title on the line against the fearless Mexican.
Flame-haired Alvarez, 26, is the red-hot favourite to dethrone Smith at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas as the Mexican puncher has blown away 33 of his 47 victims inside the distance during a 49-fight career.
His promoter and father figure Oscar De La Hoya explains how the excitement from knocking out opponents makes him a special fighter who could one day emulate his country?s greatest in Julio Cesar Chavez.
And to get an insight into his love of big punching, you have to look into his hobbies of riding his collection of bareback horse riding and racing sports cars that satisfy his craving for high-octane action.
It is a frightening thought for De La Hoya to think his cash cow is putting his limbs ? and possibly life ? on the line outside of the ring, but he understands it is part of the making of him.
?Of course I get nervous,? said De La Hoya, the boxing icon who has been looking after Alvarez?s career since 2010.
?You think about him falling or even the horse falling on top of him.
?He?s confident, he?s a fighter who wants to live his life and have a good time but yeah, he perhaps should be a bit more careful.
?He?s a daredevil. He loves the adrenaline and the rush. He is fearless.
?That is how he fights – what he does outside the ring with horses and cars -that?s him. That?s why people love him.?
