Boxing’s biggest star will take a step closer to becoming undisputed champion as Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) defends his WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight world titles in a 12-round unification fight against IBF Middleweight world champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) during the celebratory weekend of Cinco de Mayo.
The champion-vs.-champion event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena and will be streamed exclusively live on DAZN.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs and let us know who you think will win this highly-anticipated fight.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
This is an excellent matchup between a dominant Middleweight champ (not without his own controversy) in Canelo Alvarez, against a larger, natural Middleweight champion with a penchant for miracles, Daniel Jacobs.
Jacobs was considered to have a suspect chin earlier in his career but has largely overcome that criticism following a rough fight, dropping a close decision to knockout artist Gennady Golovkin.
Expect Jacobs to give Canelo a few problems early and the score will arguably be close at the midway point. It is at this time that Canelo’s sharp counters will start breaking through and shaking the New Yorker.
By Round 9 Jacobs will have had enough and the referee will recognize the signs, rescuing Jacobs from further damage.
Prediction: Canelo
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
Canelo Alvarez just has the least worst moment between the two. And, he’s only faltered under the bright lights, at 23, against the greatest fighter of this era while he was in his mental prime.
Daniel Jacobs possesses what it takes to get the win, and he’s said all the right things, but he’s too up and down in his fights. Canelo endures a long night, with Jacobs having his share of positive moments, but Canelo’s counterpunching and better chin has me seeing him exit the ring as the night’s king.
Prediction: Canelo
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
This is probably the biggest fight left at 160 for Canelo Alvarez outside of a rubber match with Gennady Golovkin. I think Daniel Jacobs is a solid, all-around talent, but he is a notch below Canelo and GGG.
I think it will be closely contested and Jacobs will have his moments before he begins to wilt under Alvarez’s pressure and precision power shots. Canelo by stoppage or close decision.
Prediction: Canelo
Joseph Rodriguez, Staff Writer
In what is arguably the most appealing Middleweight matchup other than Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs is looking to stake his claim as the best fighter in the Middleweight division with a victory over Canelo.
Unfortunately for Jacobs, I believe Alvarez possess greater power, speed, technique and overall boxing ability that will make his goal a daunting feat. I expect Jacobs to use his height and reach to control distance and try to establish his jab from the outside.
Canelo will invest heavily in the body to slow Jacobs’ movement and bring down his guard. Once Jacobs starts to slow down, Canelo will leverage his speed advantage to land the more effective punches. Jacobs’ size advantage will play a factor, as he will be able to take Canelo’s best punch without tasting the canvas.
Canelo will take the unanimous decision victory with scorecards in the range of eight rounds to four or nine rounds to three.
Prediction: Canelo
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Canelo
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Canelo
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
Interested to see Daniel Jacobs’ game plan. Does he try to simply outbox and use his reach? Does he try to bully Canelo Alvarez because he’s bigger?
Maybe a combination of both.
Canelo has an answer for everything Jacobs throws at him and wins.
Prediction: Canelo
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
As much as I like Daniel Jacobs, it’s hard to pick against Canelo Alvarez at this point in his career. The fact that WBC has customized a “Mayan” themed championship belt kind of implies that for Jacobs to win he needs a knockout.
Jacobs needs to use his advantage in reach to control distance, but his penchant to close the distance behind the jab and throw power shots inside plays to Canelo’s strengths.
Canelo has superb defense and loves to counter punch. Jacobs has the capability to make adjustments with footwork and dictate range, but we’ve also seen Canelo come forward and be effective (think of the Gennady Golovkin rematch).
If Jacobs can catch Canelo, I believe he has the punching power to finish him, but that’s a big “if.” I think Canelo wins by decision. Possibly even KO.
Prediction: Canelo
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This is a great fight and one that should definitely be taking place. I’m sure these are the types of matchups DAZN had in mind when they locked up Canelo Alvarez to that multi-year, multi-million dollar deal.
Even though this matchup deserves all the hoopla and fanfare, I’ve had the feeling after each of Daniel Jacobs’ last three fights that he’s slowly on the decline. I could be wrong, because he often times fights to the level of his competition, but he’s going to have to turn in a nearly flawless performance to beat Canelo and I just don’t know that he can do that anymore.
Canelo has so many advantages that it’s hard to keep track. He’s got the edge in youth, speed, combination-punching and of course–in case he needs them–the judges.
I’ll take Canelo by comfortable decision.
Prediction: Canelo
