Falcao Pining for Canelo-Jacobs Spotlight: I'm The Best at 160

By Lyle Fitzsimmons

The best middleweight in the world is fighting this week.

In fact, he’ll be headlining a show in Las Vegas against a twice-beaten opponent.

But no, his name is not Canelo Alvarez.

Rather, it’s Brazilian-born southpaw Yamaguchi Falcao, who’ll try to augment his own claim as king of the 160-pounders when he faces former amateur foe Christopher Pearson. The two met eight years ago in the World Series of Boxing, and will face off again Thursday night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

It’s two days before the red-headed Mexican takes on Daniel Jacobs about two miles away at T-Mobile Arena, and it’ll be an appetite-whetter on the DAZN streaming service that’ll also carry the big one.

Still, Falcao is not shy about suggesting where he fits in.

“I do not feel any pressure because these big platforms are what I’ve been asking for. I’m more excited than anything,” he told Boxing Scene. “It is very frustrating but I believe my time is very near where these fighters will be forced to face me or give up their title.

“I believe I am the best middleweight in the world and I have been saying that for a while now. I am ready, willing and able to fight anybody at 160 pounds. We’ve accepted fights but then the other fighter took on another opponent because they knew they’d have a much harder fight against me.”

It’s been a 16-fight trip to the would-be top for the 31-year-old, who turned pro 18 months past the 2012 Summer Olympics -- where he moved up to 178 pounds to capture a bronze medal while his younger brother, Esquiva, was copping silver at 165. Both are undefeated as pros and slotted nine spots apart by the Independent World Boxing Rankings, which have Esquiva at No. 19 and Yamaguchi at 28.

Not surprisingly, there’s still a bit of sibling rivalry in the middleweight family.

But probably not enough to ever prompt a showdown.

“We support each other and have always,” the elder Falcao said. “We, of course, both believe we’re the better fighter among each other, so in that sense it’s no different than two fighters that aren’t related being compared. I couldn’t picture us fighting because we are very supportive of each other’s careers.”

Falcao heads into the Pearson “rematch” off a narrow 10-round verdict over Elias Espadas at the same Hard Rock venue last July. He said his team has reached or gotten close to deals with fighters like Jason Quigley, Demetrius Andrade and even Jacobs himself, only to have the matches scrubbed when the others turned him down (Quigley), left their promoter (Andrade) or accepted another bout (Jacobs).

Instead, it’s Pearson, who won a split decision in their amateur get-together and began his pro career with 11 KOs in 13 straight wins, but has since dropped two of five fights by wide decision and early KO.

“He is a good fighter and I take nothing away from him but I definitely beat him. It was an absolute robbery,” Falcao said. “I was stronger than him and the more skilled, smarter boxer too.

“We have a number of different things that we work on and we get sparring based on the type of opponent. I’m constantly training and my trainer, Jose Rodriguez, is doing a great job. I’ve seen so many different styles dating back to the amateurs that I’m ready for anything any opponent can bring.

“I have nothing against (Pearson) but this fight is personal to me because they robbed me last time so I’d rather end the fight before the final bell. I’m going to win hands down. When the fight is over, even if it goes to the judges’ scorecards, my skills and experience will dictate the fight so much that everybody watching will know I’m the winner before any announcement.”

And from there, it’s time to scout some bigger fish.

“I am very focused on the fight and putting on a good performance for everybody watching in the arena or on TV,” Falcao said. “DAZN is available all over the world and since Golden Boy is promoting the big fight two days later I believe they will do a great job with getting a lot of attention on my fight as well.

“This is a very good spot for me. This is an even bigger opportunity so I am very thankful to have a huge platform right before the biggest fight of the year. (Canelo-Jacobs) is going to be a very close fight. Jacobs is a different kind of middleweight than Canelo fought before because he is tall, has speed and power. Jacobs has the skills to win the fight but I think Canelo will win a close decision.

“I’d love to face the winner.”

* * * * * * * * * *

This week’s legit title-fight schedule:

IBF/WBA/WBC middleweight titles – Las Vegas, Nevada
Daniel Jacobs (IBF champion/No. 3 IWBR) vs. Saul Alvarez (WBA/WBC champion/No. 1 IWBR)
Jacobs (35-2, 29 KO): First title defense; Eight wins in 10 career scheduled 12-rounders (8-2, 5 KO)
Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 KO): First WBA/WBC title defense; Ten-fight unbeaten streak (9-0-1, 5 KO)
Fitzbitz says: He’s bigger. He’s skilled. Some still argue that he was the first to legitimately beat Gennady Golovkin. And if he makes weight, he’ll beat Canelo here, too. Jacobs by decision (65/35)
 
IBF junior bantamweight title – Stockton, California
Jerwin Ancajas (champion/No. 4 IWBR) vs. Ryuichi Funai (No. 1 IBF/No. 30 IWBR)
Ancajas (30-1-2, 20 KO): Seventh title defense; Fourth fight in the United States (2-0-1, 1 KO)
Funai (31-7, 22 KO): First title fight; First fight in the United States
Fitzbitz says: Ancajas has lost some of his KO momentum lately – with two straight 12-rounders -- but he’s not likely to face a title-changing challenge here from a 30-something veteran. Ancajas in 8 (90/10)

IBF light heavyweight title – Stockton, California
Artur Beterbiev (champion/No. 7 IWBR) vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic (No. 13 IBF/No. 36 IWBR)
Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KO): Second title defense; One career fight beyond seven rounds (1-0, 1 KO)
Kalajdzic (24-1, 17 KO): First title fight; Sixth fight outside of Florida (4-1, 2 KO)
Fitzbitz says: The champ has been a KO machine across his career, though the momentum feels like it’s been stalled as of late. This is a stay-busy fight, but he’ll do his part impressively. Beterbiev in 4 (99/1)

Last week's picks: 3-0 (WIN: Roman, Estrada, Prograis)
2019 picks record: 32-3 (91.4 percent)
Overall picks record: 1,044-346 (75.1 percent)

NOTE: Fights previewed are only those involving a sanctioning body's full-fledged title-holder – no interim, diamond, silver, etc. Fights for WBA "world championships" are only included if no "super champion" exists in the weight class.

Lyle Fitzsimmons has covered professional boxing since 1995 and written a weekly column for Boxing Scene since 2008. He is a full voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Reach him at fitzbitz@msn.com or follow him on Twitter – @fitzbitz.