By Keith Idec

LAS VEGAS – A smiling Daniel Jacobs jumped at the opportunity to finish the reporter’s question.

The IBF middleweight champion also delivered a message when he was asked, “Do you think you need to knock him out?”

“To get a draw,” Jacobs quipped to a group of reporters following the Manny Pacquiao-Adrien Broner bout Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

All kidding aside, Jacobs rightfully is concerned about judging as he prepares for a press tour and training camp for his May 4 showdown with Canelo Alvarez. The Mexican superstar’s past two fights in Las Vegas resulted in controversial outcomes – a widely disputed draw with Gennady Golovkin in September 2017 and a debatable majority-decision victory over Golovkin four months ago.

Alvarez also was credited with winning six rounds, 114-114, in his 12-round majority-decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather won by large margins on the other two scorecards (117-111, 116-112) in a September 2013 fight he completely controlled at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The middleweight title unification bout between Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 KOs), the WBA and WBC champ, and Brooklyn’s Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) likely will take place at T-Mobile Arena, the site of the two 12-round bouts between Alvarez and Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KOs).

Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Alvarez, has a hold on that Las Vegas venue for May 4. If the Nevada State Athletic Commission approves Golden Boy’s request at its next meeting, scheduled for January 29, that’s where Alvarez-Jacobs will take place.

Judges then would be approved by the NSAC at another monthly meeting in April.

“Let’s just hope the judges can be fair,” Jacobs said. “Let’s just hope they can call it how they see it and give the fans that paid money to see us fight, just give a fair shake.”

Whichever way it’s scored, Jacobs is confident he’ll present plenty of problems for Alvarez that Golovkin couldn’t pose.

“I’ll definitely be one of the strongest guys he’s fought, and Triple-G’s not as strong as I am,” Jacobs said. “So, I pose a different threat. I’m longer, I’m rangier.”

Jacobs has always expressed confidence regarding a fight against Alvarez, who’s four inches shorter, yet also a powerful puncher. Now that he has secured it, Jacobs is sure he’ll take advantage of this high-profile opportunity.

“I see me winning, regardless,” Jacobs said. “If I put my best foot forward, use all my attributes and adjust when need be, I think I’ll win a decision or a knockout.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.