Canelo-Smith at Alamodome: History in the Making
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Nov 2020
Thrilling Mexican world champion Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez is set to clash against unbeaten British WBA world champion and WBSS winner Callum Smith for the super middleweight world championship on Saturday, December 19, at the awesome Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the fight is now 100% confirmed.
The exciting show is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing live worldwide on DAZN.
"I'm excited to be back at the Alamodome, and so grateful to be fighting in front of my fans on December 19," said Canelo, one of the world’s most popular fighters.
"I have very good memories of my previous battles in Texas, and I hope that this one against Callum Smith will be a special fight to end up this year,” shared the 30-year-old Mexican superstar.
"It's fantastic news to be able to put on this great fight in front of the fans and in a great stadium like the Alamodome," commented the fight promoter 🇬🇧 Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing.
“It is a fight that deserves to be witnessed in the flesh and those fans who next week can get the most popular ticket in town will be in for a brilliant night of action, crowned by the pound-for-pound king, facing the number one Super Middleweight of the world: a simply unmissable occasion for those who attend in person and for those who will watch live on DAZN.”
Canelo Álvarez, who has been a world champion in four different divisions, recently became a free agent after settling a legal battle with his former promoter Golden Boy Promotions and with streaming service, DAZN.
Canelo Álvarez (53-1-2, 36 KO’s), a native of Guadalajara, México, will be back in action for the first time, since he destroyed and left hanging on the ropes none other than 🇷🇺 Sergey Kovalev in a blockbuster war that unfolded in November 2019, in Las Vegas.
In that electrifying battle, Canelo snatched the WBO light heavyweight world title from the “Russian Krusher” becoming world champion in four different weight-classes, showcasing that he is indeed one of the planet’s best pound4pound warriors.
Canelo takes out Kovalev.
Prior to that, the Mexican slugger had also stopped Callum Smith's longtime foe and fellow Liverpool fighter Rocky Fielding in December of 2018 to claim the WBA regular belt at 168 pounds.
That win of Fielding in 2018 was Canelo’s third championship in various divisions, cementing his dominance from super welter to super middleweights.
Meanwhile, for Britain's Callum Smith, his fight against Canelo is a battle that he has long wanted.
Yes, Callum Smith (27-0, 19 KO’s) has landed the biggest rumble that he could have wished for; and by stopping Canelo, the tough Briton would solidify his position as the best fighter at 168 pounds; rightfully one of the best in the planet. The question is “Will he be able to defeat Canelo?”
Nicknamed “Mundo” (World), Callum Smith clinched the WBA 168-pound World Title with a 7th round knockout victory over compatriot George Groves in the prestigious World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) final, conquering the coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy 2 years ago in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Since then, the 30-year-old British world champion has defended his World Belt twice, stopping Hassan N'Dam in New York in June of last year, and then beating John Ryder in his hometown of Liverpool five months after.
So importantly, Callum Smith will also seek family revenge in the ring as Canelo Alvarez punished and stopped in 9 rounds his dear elder brother Liam Smith four years ago in Texas. That has been the first and only time that Liam has ever been knocked out. Will Callum Smith avenge that? We’ll find out in 4 weeks.
Callum Smith raises the WBSS Ali Trophy after defeating George Groves in the final.
"I am very happy to return to the ring to continue making history," Canelo promised.
“I'm motivated to continue being the best; and I look forward to fighting Callum Smith, who is one of the best at 168 pounds,” Canelo (which means Cinnamon) added.
Furthermore, Canelo’s long-time manager and coach Eddie Reynoso said:
“We are very happy to return to the ring and to end the year with one more victory to continue showing that Canelo is the best fighter in the Planet."
Finally, the British WBA world champion Callum Smith assures:
"I have wanted a great fight since I became world champion. So I am very happy that during these challenging times we are able to offer fans a fight among the best in the super middleweight division.
"I truly believe that I can beat Canelo, and I will prove that 168-pounds is my division."
The author Carlos Costa lives in Cebu, can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.con and WhatsApp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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