This article is available in a QUICK VIEW designed for people who want the key info fast. Swipe through images and key points to get the lowdown in seconds.
[pigpl-fancy-gallery id=”110605″]
And we’re back! The second installment of the resurrected head-to-head series is back, this time focusing on the upcoming superfight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 KOs) and Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs).
The story surrounding the two began after Jacobs’ competitive bout against former Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. Though Jacobs lost by decision, he looked highly impressive, and after GGG and Canelo first met in the ring, many believed that Jacobs would be able to hold his own in the ring with the Mexican superstar.
Canelo paid no mind to the talks however, and continued down his set path in a rematch with Golovkin before announcing a possible move up in weight. The announcement seemed to stifle the talks of a fight with the Miracle Man, but after making quick work of Rocky Fielding, it was announced seemingly out of nowhere that Canelo would be meeting Jacobs on May 4.
Representing Canelo and his two keys to victory, we have CJ Halloran, while Hans Themistode stands firm in Daniel Jacobs’ corner.
Read on to discover the two keys both fighters need to emerge victorious and let us know who you think will win.
Key No. 1 for Canelo Alvarez Cut Him Off and Chop the Tree Down
Photo by David Becker/Getty Images
Canelo Alvarez, surprisingly, will have to follow a game plan that’s loosely similar to his plan against Amir Khan. In his fight against Gennady Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs found early success in the fight by moving constantly, staying on the edges of the ring and firing quick combinations before circling again.
If Jacobs is allowed to stay outside and pump that long jab constantly, Canelo will be facing a whole new problem throughout the night.
Golovkin caught Jacobs’ circling relatively quickly and cut the ring off, finding more success until he caught Jacobs moving backwards and dropped him. Canelo will have to follow Golovkin’s example and cut the ring off constantly, coming forward and ensuring Jacobs is not allowed to box circles around him all night.
Canelo will also have to put “water in the basement” as analyst Teddy Atlas says. If he follows that steady, but relentless attack to the body that he showed in his fight with Rocky Fielding, Jacobs’ legs will begin to fade come Rounds 6 or 7, then Canelo will be able to make the taller man fight his fight.
Key No. 1 for Daniel Jacobs Stand Your Ground
Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
There is a big misconception about how to defeat Canelo Alvarez. He supposedly has an issue with boxers. Those that can move around the ring and force Canelo to move can cause him issues. That just isn’t true.
Erislandy Lara caused him a ton of problems, many thought that he actually won their 2014 matchup. Sure, Lara did a good job of making Canelo miss and ultimately pay, but Canelo has plenty of reasons as to why he did get the nod. Canelo stalked Lara all night long and landed his fair share of shots as well.
In both matchups with Gennady Golovkin they were close calls that a few fans felt should have went GGG’s way. Once again, Canelo made it close enough to warrant a decision win.
Let’s take a look at the man who defeated Canelo without a doubt–Floyd Mayweather. If you take a look back at their contest in 2013, Floyd spent the majority of that fight in the center of the ring and purely outboxed Canelo.
He stood his ground for long stretches and would not let Canelo bully him. That is what Jacobs needs to do. Moving backwards against Canelo will only give the impression that he is somehow losing the fight.
Jacobs is the much bigger man and the better boxer. Stand your ground and don’t use as much movement. Outbox Canelo in the center of the ring. It won’t be an easy task, but Jacobs is more than able to do it.
Key No. 2 for Canelo: Be Relentless
Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
If there is one clear flaw about Daniel Jacobs that keeps him from being the top Middleweight in the world, it is his attitude. He does well rising from adversity, as he has had no shortage of that throughout his life.
Jacobs’ issue comes when things are actually going well. In his bout against Gennady Golovkin, he began to find solid success in the middle rounds and started to get cocky.
He began to throw lazy jabs and get careless with his guard, which was abused by GGG come Round 10, when the Kazakh suffocated Jacobs and mauled him against the ropes for the round.
Canelo Alvarez, should he catch onto this laziness quick enough, can abuse Jacobs’ flaw and get a true advantage early in the fight. The Mexican superstar’s style provides constant pressure that allows zero resting period for his opponent, forcing them to fight at Canelo’s pace.
Should Canelo come out on his front foot and keep up the constant pressure, the way he did in his second bout against GGG and Rocky Fielding, Jacobs is much more likely to pay for his mistakes.
Key No. 2 for Daniel Jacobs Combination Punching
Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
If there was an award given out for combinations, Canelo Alvarez would certainly win it.
Not only are they effective on his opponents, but also on the judges. Daniel Jacobs can’t allow that.
The IBF champ has the capabilities of landing his own combinations and that is exactly what he needs to do. They just need to be effective.
Jacobs needs to employ his jab and utilize his height advantage along with a bevy of other things but, consistently throwing and landing combinations will go a long way towards winning over the judges.
