Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith on Friday both weighed in at 168 pounds for their title fight Saturday in San Antonio.
The difference in height is stark. The weight is the same.
Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith both on Friday weighed in at the 168-pound super middleweight limit for their fight Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Alvarez told BoxingScene.com that he expected to weigh 174 or 175 when he steps into the ring. And he believes Smith will be seven or eight pounds heavier than that.
Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) is fighting above 160 pounds for only the fourth time in his career. Smith, who has a seven-inch height advantage, is a career-long 168-pounder.
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“I feel a little bit of an advantage because he drops weight in order to hit weight, and then he goes up,” Alvarez told BoxingScene.com. “I feel really well. I feel I have the capacity to fight with these types of fighters.”
A victory would give Alvarez major titles in a fourth division in his decorated career. He won what the WBA calls its “regular” title by stopping Rocky Fielding in 2018 but Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize that belt.
Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) will be making the third defense of his WBA title. The vacant WBC belt also will be on the line.
The winner reportedly has 90 days to face WBC mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim or risk losing the title.
Canelo Alvarez is a 4¼-1 favorite to beat Callum Smith on Saturday in San Antonio.
The oddsmakers don’t give Callum Smith much of a chance to beat Canelo Alvarez on Saturday in San Antonio.
BetMGM has Alvarez listed as a 4¼-1 favorite to take Smith’s super middleweight title at the Alamodome, which would give him a major belt in a fourth division.
The Mexican star was -500 as of Thursday evening, meaning you’d have to bet $500 to win $100. Smith is +350. A $100 bet earns you $350.
And odds are that the fight will end in Alvarez’s favor inside the distance. He’s -115 to win by stoppage, technical decision or disqualification. He’s +180 to win a decision.
Smith is +1000 (10-1) to win on points, +600 to win inside the distance.
The longest odds are +8000 (80-1) on a first-round knockout by Smith.
Canelo Alvarez is a 4¼-1 favorite to beat Callum Smith on Saturday in San Antonio.
The oddsmakers don’t give Callum Smith much of a chance to beat Canelo Alvarez on Saturday in San Antonio.
BetMGM has Alvarez listed as a 4¼-1 favorite to take Smith’s super middleweight title at the Alamodome, which would give him a major belt in a fourth division.
The Mexican star was -500 as of Thursday evening, meaning you’d have to bet $500 to win $100. Smith is +350. A $100 bet earns you $350.
And odds are that the fight will end in Alvarez’s favor inside the distance. He’s -115 to win by stoppage, technical decision or disqualification. He’s +180 to win a decision.
Smith is +1000 (10-1) to win on points, +600 to win inside the distance.
The longest odds are +8000 (80-1) on a first-round knockout by Smith.
Canelo Alvarez is 5-0 against British fighters in his career and he’s favored to make it 6-0 against Callum Smith on Saturday.
Canelo Alvarez is an equal opportunity to destroyer.
The Mexican star has defeated opponents from nine countries in his last 25 fights, which we’ll call his elite period for the purposes of this article. The stretch begins with his first fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a coming-out ninth-round knockout of Jose Miguel Cotto on the 2010 Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley card.
So what country has bore the brunt of his success the most? Well, if you count everyone he’s faced in his 56 pro fights, it’s Mexico followed by the United States because he fought mostly his countryman and neighbors to the north in the early years of his career.
If you count only those he has faced during his elite period, it’s the United Kingdom, where his opponent on Saturday in San Antonio – Liverpudlian Callum Smith – happens to reside.
Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) has taken down all five of the British fighters he has faced, Matthew Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Amir Khan, Liam Smith (Callum’s brother) and Rocky Fielding, the last four by knockout.
The U.S. also has five victims during that period – Shane Mosley, Josesito Lopez, Austin Trout, James Kirkland and Daniel Jacobs – but it also has the only man to defeat Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather.
So you’ll forgive British fans if Alvarez leaves them with an uneasy feeling. Callum Smith has already experienced from a close distance.
Callum Smith expects to fare better than his brother, Liam (left), who lost to Canelo Alvarez in 2016. AP Photo/LM Otero)
The youngest of the fighting Smith brothers could only watch while Alvarez knocked out older brother Liam in nine rounds in 2016, also in Texas. They fought before 50,000-plus at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The younger Smith, who will be defending his super middleweight title, doesn’t look at his fight with Alvarez as an opportunity to avenge his brother’s setback or the honor of his country – he has too much at stake personally – but that certainly would add to a victory.
“Yes and no. It would be nice to get some revenge but this fight will be huge regardless,” Smith said. “It was tough to take at the time, it was [Liam’s] first loss. I think Liam knew he lost to a very good fighter.
“My brother had success on the night, but Canelo was huge for the weight at 154.”
Of course, a victory over Alvarez would be significant for British boxing. And Callum Smith probably has a better chance than his predecessors of pulling it off.
Hatton was a decent fight but a poor man’s version of his brother, Ricky. Ryan Rhodes was a fringe contender. Khan was an elite fighter but too small for Alvarez. Liam Smith is only a solid fighter and, as his brother said, he had physical disadvantages. And Fielding is another fringe contender.
Callum Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) isn’t going to be confused for Joe Calzaghe but he has a good skill set and will be the naturally bigger man in the ring on Saturday. If he can find a way to win, it would be one of the bigger upsets in recent years.
And it would be gratifying for his countrymen.
***
Here are two lists. One, the countries of opponents in each of his 56 fights, including the loss to Mayweather and a draw with Kazakhstani Gennadiy Golovkin in their first fight. And, two, the countries of his opponents during his 25-fight elite period. Alvarez’s record against each nation is included.
Canelo Alvarez is 5-0 against British fighters in his career and he’s favored to make it 6-0 against Callum Smith on Saturday.
Canelo Alvarez is an equal opportunity to destroyer.
The Mexican star has defeated opponents from nine countries in his last 25 fights, which we’ll call his elite period for the purposes of this article. The stretch begins with his first fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a coming-out ninth-round knockout of Jose Miguel Cotto on the 2010 Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley card.
So what country has bore the brunt of his success the most? Well, if you count everyone he’s faced in his 56 pro fights, it’s Mexico followed by the United States because he fought mostly his countryman and neighbors to the north in the early years of his career.
If you count only those he has faced during his elite period, it’s the United Kingdom, where his opponent on Saturday in San Antonio – Liverpudlian Callum Smith – happens to reside.
Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) has taken down all five of the British fighters he has faced, Matthew Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Amir Khan, Liam Smith (Callum’s brother) and Rocky Fielding, the last four by knockout.
The U.S. also has five victims during that period – Shane Mosley, Josesito Lopez, Austin Trout, James Kirkland and Daniel Jacobs – but it also has the only man to defeat Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather.
So you’ll forgive British fans if Alvarez leaves them with an uneasy feeling. Callum Smith has already experienced from a close distance.
Callum Smith expects to fare better than his brother, Liam (left), who lost to Canelo Alvarez in 2016. AP Photo/LM Otero)
The youngest of the fighting Smith brothers could only watch while Alvarez knocked out older brother Liam in nine rounds in 2016, also in Texas. They fought before 50,000-plus at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The younger Smith, who will be defending his super middleweight title, doesn’t look at his fight with Alvarez as an opportunity to avenge his brother’s setback or the honor of his country – he has too much at stake personally – but that certainly would add to a victory.
“Yes and no. It would be nice to get some revenge but this fight will be huge regardless,” Smith said. “It was tough to take at the time, it was [Liam’s] first loss. I think Liam knew he lost to a very good fighter.
“My brother had success on the night, but Canelo was huge for the weight at 154.”
Of course, a victory over Alvarez would be significant for British boxing. And Callum Smith probably has a better chance than his predecessors of pulling it off.
Hatton was a decent fight but a poor man’s version of his brother, Ricky. Ryan Rhodes was a fringe contender. Khan was an elite fighter but too small for Alvarez. Liam Smith is only a solid fighter and, as his brother said, he had physical disadvantages. And Fielding is another fringe contender.
Callum Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) isn’t going to be confused for Joe Calzaghe but he has a good skill set and will be the naturally bigger man in the ring on Saturday. If he can find a way to win, it would be one of the bigger upsets in recent years.
And it would be gratifying for his countrymen.
***
Here are two lists. One, the countries of opponents in each of his 56 fights, including the loss to Mayweather and a draw with Kazakhstani Gennadiy Golovkin in their first fight. And, two, the countries of his opponents during his 25-fight elite period. Alvarez’s record against each nation is included.
Canelo Álvarez está listo para enfrentar a Callum Smith este fin de semana desde San Antonio, y aunque el boxeador mexicano llega concentrado y con la mira en el triunfo, reconoce que Smith representa un importante reto, “Para mí todo lo que me …
Canelo Álvarez está listo para enfrentar a Callum Smith este fin de semana desde San Antonio, y aunque el boxeador mexicano llega concentrado y con la mira en el triunfo, reconoce que Smith representa un importante reto,
“Para mí todo lo que me genere un riesgo es lo que me gusta, este es un gran riesgo para mí, para mi carrera, pero es seguir haciendo historia, peleando contra el número 1 en esa división. Estoy listo para seguirlo haciendo y estar en esas peleas”, dijo Canelo en conferencia de prensa.
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Por su parte, el campeón Smith llega confiado a la pelea, aunque le queda claro que se enfrenta a una leyenda y que en caso de ganar su carrera daría un salto a otro nivel. “Sin duda me catapultaría al nivel de la élite. He demostrado que soy un peleador de clase mundial y que soy competitivo en ese nivel. Ahora toca pelear un peldaño arriba para ver si puedo estar en la élite de la división. Creo que puedo y el sábado por la noche lo comprobaré”, reveló el británico.
Apoyo mexicano
Aunque el Alamodome de San Antonio, Texas, solo recibirá un aforo de 12 mil personas para cumplir con las restricciones sanitarias actuales, tanto Canelo como su equipo creen que tendrán un buen público mexicano de su lado. Además, saben que los mexicanos son buenos para los gritos, así que están seguros de que Canelo podrá escuchar las voces de apoyo en español.
“Realmente aquí va a haber 12 mil personas, los mexicanos somos muy gritones, todos van a estar abalanzados sobre Saúl. A final de cuentas solo va a estara él encima del cuadrilátero con Smith. En esta ocasión estamos más enfocados en nuestro campamento aquí en el hotel, lo que sí les digo es que se van a escuchar como si fueran 100 mil“, aseguró Eddy Reynoso, entrenador de canelo.
Canelo Alvarez has never been afraid to accept a challenge in his decorated career.
No matter how you feel about Canelo Alvarez as a fighter you have to acknowledge one thing: The guy isn’t afraid of a challenge.
Consider the last year and a half of his career. He will have fought three times for major titles in three different weight classes, Daniel Jacobs (middleweight), Sergey Kovalev (light heavyweight) and Callum Smith, who will defend his super middleweight title against Alvarez on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
When Alvarez talks about making history, he means it.
“I like taking risks,” he said through a translator during a news conference Thursday afternoon. “Taking this fight is taking a risk. He’s No. 1 at 168. So that’s a challenge for me. I want to continue to bring challenges forward.
“I like the risk of it, I like continuing to take challenges to continue making history.”
Canelo Alvarez (left) has a mountain to climb Saturday. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
Of course, living dangerously is nothing new for Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs), who took a risk by starting his pro career as a 15-year-old in 2005.
At 22, some in his camp thought it was too soon for him to fight Austin Trout in 2013. He insisted and emerged victorious. He couldn’t pass up a chance to face Floyd Mayweather in his next fight but, still developing at 23, it was certainly a risk. Mayweather won by a wide decision.
Erislandy Lara was a boogeyman because of his unusual skill set – few wanted a piece of him – but Alvarez, against the best judgment of some around him, wanted the fight and won a split decision.
And, in his most-recent fight, he jumped two weight classes to challenge Kovalev for a 175-pound title in November of last year. Kovalev had probably slipped to some degree but everyone acknowledged that Alvarez had made a bold move. He stopped the Russian in 11 rounds.
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That’s been the story of his career. He’s had some relatively easy fights – James Kirkland, Amir Khan, Rocky Fielding – but he has always gravitated to more-capable opponents.
Smith is one of the good ones. The Liverpudlian doesn’t have the ability of Alvarez – few do – but he’s a good, seasoned boxer with significant size advantages over the challenger. He has a 7-inch edge in height, 7½-inch reach advantage and is the naturally bigger man all-around.
Plus, he, like Alvarez, is in his prime. They’re both 30 years old.
Alvarez will be fighting for the vacant WBC and Callum Smith’s Ring Magazine belts (pictured at top), as well as Smith’s WBA title. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
“We do know he’s tall,” said Alvarez, a head shorter than Smith when they stand side by side. “And we know he has great boxing qualities. So that makes him dangerous. With my experience, my level of boxing, I’m ready for this.
“I want to continue making history and taking risks like this. This is what I’m here for.”
If things go well for Alvarez on Saturday, he’ll have many options as he enters the new year. He could face Gennadiy Golovkin a third time on Cinco de Mayo weekend. He could target top 168-pounders Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders or David Benavidez. And more light heavyweights are undoubtedly in his sights.
The theme remains the same. In other words, bring on the next challenge.
Canelo Alvarez has never been afraid to accept a challenge in his decorated career.
No matter how you feel about Canelo Alvarez as a fighter you have to acknowledge one thing: The guy isn’t afraid of a challenge.
Consider the last year and a half of his career. He will have fought three times for major titles in three different weight classes, Daniel Jacobs (middleweight), Sergey Kovalev (light heavyweight) and Callum Smith, who will defend his super middleweight title against Alvarez on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
When Alvarez talks about making history, he means it.
“I like taking risks,” he said through a translator during a news conference Thursday afternoon. “Taking this fight is taking a risk. He’s No. 1 at 168. So that’s a challenge for me. I want to continue to bring challenges forward.
“I like the risk of it, I like continuing to take challenges to continue making history.”
Canelo Alvarez (left) has a mountain to climb Saturday. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
Of course, living dangerously is nothing new for Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs), who took a risk by starting his pro career as a 15-year-old in 2005.
At 22, some in his camp thought it was too soon for him to fight Austin Trout in 2013. He insisted and emerged victorious. He couldn’t pass up a chance to face Floyd Mayweather in his next fight but, still developing at 23, it was certainly a risk. Mayweather won by a wide decision.
Erislandy Lara was a boogeyman because of his unusual skill set – few wanted a piece of him – but Alvarez, against the best judgment of some around him, wanted the fight and won a split decision.
And, in his most-recent fight, he jumped two weight classes to challenge Kovalev for a 175-pound title in November of last year. Kovalev had probably slipped to some degree but everyone acknowledged that Alvarez had made a bold move. He stopped the Russian in 11 rounds.
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That’s been the story of his career. He’s had some relatively easy fights – James Kirkland, Amir Khan, Rocky Fielding – but he has always gravitated to more-capable opponents.
Smith is one of the good ones. The Liverpudlian doesn’t have the ability of Alvarez – few do – but he’s a good, seasoned boxer with significant size advantages over the challenger. He has a 7-inch edge in height, 7½-inch reach advantage and is the naturally bigger man all-around.
Plus, he, like Alvarez, is in his prime. They’re both 30 years old.
Alvarez will be fighting for the vacant WBC and Callum Smith’s Ring Magazine belts (pictured at top), as well as Smith’s WBA title. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
“We do know he’s tall,” said Alvarez, a head shorter than Smith when they stand side by side. “And we know he has great boxing qualities. So that makes him dangerous. With my experience, my level of boxing, I’m ready for this.
“I want to continue making history and taking risks like this. This is what I’m here for.”
If things go well for Alvarez on Saturday, he’ll have many options as he enters the new year. He could face Gennadiy Golovkin a third time on Cinco de Mayo weekend. He could target top 168-pounders Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders or David Benavidez. And more light heavyweights are undoubtedly in his sights.
The theme remains the same. In other words, bring on the next challenge.
Callum Smith said his combination of size and ability will lead him to victory over Canelo Alvarez on Saturday.
Callum Smith is the titleholder. He has a perfect record. He has never been down in his career, not once. He towers over Canelo Alvarez, his opponent on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio. And almost no one believes Smith can win the fight.
He gets it. He also suggests that fans who are writing him off should brace themselves for a surprise.
“Canelo is such a big star,” Smith told Boxing Junkie. “People believe he’s invincible. I think people in boxing respect me, they know how good I am. They know I have a good chance to win.
“Stylistically, I like my chances.”
Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) is the youngest and best of four boxing brothers from Liverpool, England, one of whom, Liam Smith, was knocked out by Alvarez in 2016. Liam isn’t Callum.
John Ryder (left) gave Smith all he could handle in his most-recent fight. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Callum Smith has overcome every challenge thrown his way, including a spectacular seventh-round knockout of George Groves to give him his world 168-pound title in September 2018 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Now it’s important to note that he was fortunate to win one of his 27 fights, the most-recent one. He defeated fringe contender John Ryder by a unanimous decision in November of last year, the second defense of his belt.
However, some believe that the scoring – 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112 – was an early Christmas gift for Smith. Ryder, still bitter, said as recently as Wednesday that “the world knows who won that fight.”
Smith won’t go that far but he acknowledges that he was flat in the fight. Did Ryder expose Smith’s limitations in the fight? If so, that might not be good news for Smith come Saturday. Or did he simply fight down to his competition, which is common in boxing.
“Possibly, yeah,” Smith said, referring to that last notion. “… It happens in boxing. You want to be at your best at all times but sometimes that’s not the case. In that fight (Ryder), I could afford to underperform. I can’t do that in this fight.
“You’ll see a better, more motivated version on Saturday.”
Alvarez (left) and Smith are friendly foes. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
Of course, he had better be at his best if he hopes surprise anyone.
Alvarez is No. 2 on the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list for a reason. He has faced some of the best fighters in the world over the past decade-plus and has failed to have his hand raised only three times, draws against Jorge Juarez (in his fifth fight) and Gennadiy Golovkin, and a loss to Floyd Mayweather.
Smith is well aware of Alvarez’s ability. However, he points out that he’s a pretty good boxer himself. He had a strong amateur career, he learned a lot from his older brothers and continues to hone his craft under Joe Gallagher, the 2019 Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year.
Smith also has a not-so-secret weapon going into the Alvarez: A significant size advantage. The most-obvious edge is in height; the 6-foot-3 Smith is seven inches taller than his opponent. Did you see the face-to-face photos from Tuesday? Smith is a full head taller than Alvarez.
It doesn’t end there. Smith’s reach is 7½ inches longer than Alvarez’s. And Smith is simply the naturally bigger man. He is a career-long 168-pounder. Alvarez has fought above 160 only three times, including his last fight: An 11th-round knockout of Sergey Kovalev at light heavyweight.
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“Obviously we knew about the size difference,” Smith said. “It was nice to see him up close. I don’t think fans realized how big the size difference was. I’m not just big, though. I’m big with ability. And I’m not big with limited ability. I’m a world class fighter.
“I believe tactically I’ll have an edge, too. I’ll do enough to win the fight. That’s what I’m here for.”
Another thing seems obvious: Smith is motivated like never before. He understands the opportunity before him. If he wins on Saturday, nothing will remain the same.
And the fact that he’s the underdog in spite of his credentials – Alvarez is favored 4¼-1 by BetMGM – stokes the fire that burns beneath him as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.
“It does feel different,” he said. “I feel like the challenger again. I’m here to prove a point, to prove to people how good I am. I like a challenge. And, yes, this is a challenge.”
Callum Smith said his combination of size and ability will lead him to victory over Canelo Alvarez on Saturday.
Callum Smith is the titleholder. He has a perfect record. He has never been down in his career, not once. He towers over Canelo Alvarez, his opponent on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio. And almost no one believes Smith can win the fight.
He gets it. He also suggests that fans who are writing him off should brace themselves for a surprise.
“Canelo is such a big star,” Smith told Boxing Junkie. “People believe he’s invincible. I think people in boxing respect me, they know how good I am. They know I have a good chance to win.
“Stylistically, I like my chances.”
Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) is the youngest and best of four boxing brothers from Liverpool, England, one of whom, Liam Smith, was knocked out by Alvarez in 2016. Liam isn’t Callum.
John Ryder (left) gave Smith all he could handle in his most-recent fight. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Callum Smith has overcome every challenge thrown his way, including a spectacular seventh-round knockout of George Groves to give him his world 168-pound title in September 2018 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Now it’s important to note that he was fortunate to win one of his 27 fights, the most-recent one. He defeated fringe contender John Ryder by a unanimous decision in November of last year, the second defense of his belt.
However, some believe that the scoring – 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112 – was an early Christmas gift for Smith. Ryder, still bitter, said as recently as Wednesday that “the world knows who won that fight.”
Smith won’t go that far but he acknowledges that he was flat in the fight. Did Ryder expose Smith’s limitations in the fight? If so, that might not be good news for Smith come Saturday. Or did he simply fight down to his competition, which is common in boxing.
“Possibly, yeah,” Smith said, referring to that last notion. “… It happens in boxing. You want to be at your best at all times but sometimes that’s not the case. In that fight (Ryder), I could afford to underperform. I can’t do that in this fight.
“You’ll see a better, more motivated version on Saturday.”
Alvarez (left) and Smith are friendly foes. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
Of course, he had better be at his best if he hopes surprise anyone.
Alvarez is No. 2 on the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list for a reason. He has faced some of the best fighters in the world over the past decade-plus and has failed to have his hand raised only three times, draws against Jorge Juarez (in his fifth fight) and Gennadiy Golovkin, and a loss to Floyd Mayweather.
Smith is well aware of Alvarez’s ability. However, he points out that he’s a pretty good boxer himself. He had a strong amateur career, he learned a lot from his older brothers and continues to hone his craft under Joe Gallagher, the 2019 Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year.
Smith also has a not-so-secret weapon going into the Alvarez: A significant size advantage. The most-obvious edge is in height; the 6-foot-3 Smith is seven inches taller than his opponent. Did you see the face-to-face photos from Tuesday? Smith is a full head taller than Alvarez.
It doesn’t end there. Smith’s reach is 7½ inches longer than Alvarez’s. And Smith is simply the naturally bigger man. He is a career-long 168-pounder. Alvarez has fought above 160 only three times, including his last fight: An 11th-round knockout of Sergey Kovalev at light heavyweight.
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“Obviously we knew about the size difference,” Smith said. “It was nice to see him up close. I don’t think fans realized how big the size difference was. I’m not just big, though. I’m big with ability. And I’m not big with limited ability. I’m a world class fighter.
“I believe tactically I’ll have an edge, too. I’ll do enough to win the fight. That’s what I’m here for.”
Another thing seems obvious: Smith is motivated like never before. He understands the opportunity before him. If he wins on Saturday, nothing will remain the same.
And the fact that he’s the underdog in spite of his credentials – Alvarez is favored 4¼-1 by BetMGM – stokes the fire that burns beneath him as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.
“It does feel different,” he said. “I feel like the challenger again. I’m here to prove a point, to prove to people how good I am. I like a challenge. And, yes, this is a challenge.”
