Compubox Analysis: Alvarez vs. Rhodes

Two weeks ago Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. took another step toward emulating his father's success by decisioning Sebastian Zbik to pick up his first major belt.

On Saturday Canelo Alvarez -- whose style mirrors "J.C. Superstar's" more than his Chavez's own son -- will try to match Chavez Jr. when he meets European champion Ryan Rhodes before a friendly crowd in Guadalajara. As for Rhodes, who at 34 is enjoying the most successful stretch of his career, his mission is to stop "The Canelo Express" before it ever leaves the station.  “Cinammon” is a 7 ½ -1 favorite.

What must each man do to accomplish their diametrically opposed missions? Their respective CompuBox histories offer these pieces of advice:

See more Compubox analysis of Canelo Alvarez vs. Ryan Rhodes on HBO.com.

Ryan Rhodes Looks to Put a Stop to Canelo Alvarez's Meteoric Rise

Photo: Gene Blevins/Hoganphotos

Canelo Alvarez, the 20-year-old Mexican phenom who is storming through boxing's light middleweight division, is poised to become one of the sports' next superstars. His skill in the ring and rabid fan base combine to make every one of his fights into an event, and he's even expressed his desire to fight Manny Pacquiao within a year. There's just one thing standing in the way on his path to greatness: his opponents. Right now, that obstacle is the 34-year-old English southpaw, Ryan Rhodes. "I think I'm gonna knock this kid out," the Sheffield native says. "I've seen him get wobbled a few times by light-welterweights and welterweights, so I knowonce I start catching him, the kid's gonna walk on to one."

Read the Canelo Alvarez-Ryan Rhodes Fight Overview on HBO.com.