The stage is set for the middleweight title unification bout between Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs, on May 4 in Las Vegas.
Mexico’s Alvarez, 28, is considered by many the best in the game today. His epic fights with Gennady Golovkin — a draw and then a tight victory, with a third meeting a distinct possibility — are the most shining moments in a 51-1-2 record with 35 knockouts.
He became a three-division world champion by knocking out Rocky Fielding in three rounds to take the WBA "regular" super middleweight crown in December but now moves back where he probably belongs. And the middleweight division is the deepest and strongest around.
Jacobs, 32, is a logical foe, and that’s good for the sport considering how logic rarely plays into matchups. Since going 12 rounds with Triple G and losing a very close decision two years ago, Jacobs has three wins and owns the IBF crown. The thought of adding Alvarez’s WBA and WBC belts is enticing but hardly the only motivation for the Brooklyn native.
The bout will be on a special weekend for Mexico, on the eve of Cinco de Mayo, and Alvarez prizes the opportunity to do his thing in the ring “for my country, my family, my fans.” He knows, however, that taking on Jacobs will be anything but a party.
Alvarez hasn’t lost since Floyd Mayweather outpointed him in 2014, a fight Alvarez accepted when he was still quite raw, though he already owned two super welterweight titles. He has improved since, and only Golovkin truly has challenged Alvarez in the last 4½ years.
Jacobs will present a major challenge in the fight that will be streamed by DAZN as part of Alvarez’s $365 million deal for 11 fights.
Jacobs' promoter, Eddie Hearn, sees the worry from Canelo and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions.
“We have to give a huge amount of credit to Canelo and Oscar and the team. They know how tough this fight is. You see just a little bit of worry…isn’t it great that we have a super fight? Isn’t it great that we have a moment in this sport when two great champions could come together?,” Hearn said.
“For a long, long time since we signed Daniel Jacobs, he has told me three special words: ‘Bring me Canelo.’ And on May 4, he finally has the chance.”
“I have never been so confident in a 50-50 fight. I believe this young man walks with faith and I believe on May 4th, he will become the unified middleweight champion in the world. Faith is a wonderful thing and when you combine it with talent, you can’t beat it.”
