LAS VEGAS — In the second fight of his 11th-fight, $365 million deal with the new sports streaming service DAZN, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez added the IBF middleweight world title to his possession. He out-landed Daniel Jacobs en route to a unanimous decision victory in front of over 20,000 fans from the T-Mobile Arena.
Entering the bout, Alvarez had the WBA and WBC world titles while Jacobs, 32, maintained the IBF championship. Scores of 115-113 (twice) and 116-112 were all read for Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KO’s), who remained composed throughout the bout and was able to connect on 188 (40 percent) of his 466 total punches thrown. The 28-year-old Alvarez was content with his performance, but did express that the fight could have had more of the excitement factor.
“I’m very happy, I’m very happy with what we did. Obviously I thought It would have been a more entertaining fight for the public, but we do what we can with what the opponent brings. We showed a lot of things. We showed waist movement, a lot of diversity in terms of our punches and combinations. But, I think overall it was a beautiful fight.”
– Canelo Alvarez
Jacobs, of Brownsville, New York, found himself switching between the orthodox and southpaw stances throughout the 12-round fight. However, a majority of his (Jacobs) success came from his natural orthodox position as Alvarez found more openings from Jacobs’ left-handed stance. Jacobs connected on 20 percent of his total punches (131 of 649) in the fight and seemingly found success when he had Alvarez against the ropes.
The morning of the event had a bit of controversy when Jacobs (35-3, 29 KOs) did not choose to participate in the same-day weigh-in. A clause in the contract for the fight stated that Jacobs, who was making the first defense of his world title since capturing it last October, could not rehydrate past ten pounds [beyond 160] on the day of the matchup. Jacobs reportedly woke up weighing 173 pounds and decided not to attend. He will reportedly pay a $1 million fine [to Alvarez] in failing to abide to the clause.
Former unified middleweight world champion, Gennady Golovkin, was in attendance as he is looking for a trilogy against Alvarez later this year. Golovkin, who just recently split from his trainer, Able Sanchez, after nine years together, also signed a lucrative contract with DAZN earlier this year. Golovkin, of Karaganda, Kazakhstan and now resides in Los Angeles, California, said he was not impressed with the main event.
“I saw no emotions, nothing special today. It was a nice sparring match. Boring. They should have given more to the fans.”
– Gennady Golovkin on Canelo vs. Jacobs
The 37-year-old Golovkin previously stated that he decided to sign with DAZN; in order to increase his chances of landing a third fight with Alvarez. Golovkin is scheduled to fight on June 8, against Steve Rolls (19-0, 10 KOs) in New York. Alvarez is scheduled to return on Mexican independence weekend in September, and assuming Golovkin is also victorious; a third bout could follow between both fighters once again. Nevertheless, Alvarez feels his business with Golovkin is finished, but is still open to the possibility.
“For me, we’re (Alvarez and Golovkin) done. But, if he wants another fight and the fans want another fight, I’m ready to beat him again. That’s why I’m here — to fight. That’s what I was born for; to defend what’s mine and we’re ready to fight with anybody.”
– Canelo Alvarez
Feature photo: Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review Journal
