One of the biggest fights of 2019 is almost here as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Danny Jacobs meet in their three-belt unification bout in Las Vegas this weekend.
On the biggest date on the boxing calendar, Canelo, the reigning WBA and WBC middleweight champion, goes to war with ‘Miracle Man’ Jacobs, who puts his IBF strap on the line.
After two battles with Gennady Golovkin where he left with a controversial draw and split decision win last year, Canelo returned to winning ways against Rocky Fielding at super-middleweight last December.
Back fighting at his more natural weight at 160 lbs, the Mexican superstar is hoping to move to within one belt of becoming the undisputed king of the middleweight division, with the WBO title currently held by Demetrius Andrade.
Canelo, whose sole defeat came to Floyd Mayweather back in 2013, is considered the favourite to add another title to his collection. But in Jacobs, he faces a man well versed in overcoming the odds.
In 2011, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a life-threatening form of bone cancer. The New Yorker’s career was considered over but he fought back to fight among boxing’s elite again, pushing Golovkin all the way in their March 2017 bout – one many feel Jacobs should have won after coming up short on the scorecards.
Jacobs commands respect and on Cinco de Mayo weekend, Jacobs he hopes to stop Canelo’s rise.
Date, UK start time and venue
Canelo vs Jacobs takes place on Saturday May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It is another early start for UK fight fans with their meeting not expected to get underway until 4:30am at the earliest on Sunday morning.
TV channel and live stream
There is some good news for UK viewers, however, Canelo vs Jacobs will available to watch live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event channels, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £8.99.
Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
Their coverage begins at 12:30am.
Betting odds | Provided by Betfair | Subject to change (UK and Ireland only)
Fight odds
- Canelo to win: 1/4
- Jacobs to win: 7/2
- Draw: 20/1
Method of victory
- Canelo by decision/technical decision: 8/11
- Canelo by KO/TKO: 11/4
- Jacobs by decision/technical decision: 6/1
- Jacobs by KO/TKO: 8/1
Click here to place a bet.
Prediction
Jacobs withstood the knockout power of Golokvin two years ago – the first time GGG failed to record a KO win in 24 fights.
You would expect him to go the distance again on Saturday night but Canelo’s tremendous work rate and shot selection may be enough to convince the judges’ on the scorecards.
Undercard
- Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Mauricio Herrera
- Lamont Roach Jnr vs Jonathan Oquendo
- Joseph Diaz Jnr vs Freddy Fonseca
- Sadam Ali vs Anthony Young
- John Ryder vs Bilal Akkawy
- Alexis Espino vs Billy Wagner
