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Canelo-Smith set for Dec 19

“I’ll be returning to the ring on December 19th to face Callum Smith,” announced Canelo Alvarez on social media today. The bout will take place in the United States (likely Texas) with the WBA super middleweight title on the line. The bout will air on DAZN.

Official Announcement: Canelo Promotions and Matchroom Boxing are delighted to announce that Canelo Alvarez will take on Callum Smith for the WBA and Ring Magazine World Super-Middleweight titles on Saturday December 19, live on DAZN in 200+ countries and territories worldwide (excluding Mexico).

Alvarez (53-1-2 36 KOs) is back in action for the first time since knocking out Sergey Kovalev in November 2019 in Las Vegas, ripping the WBO World Light-Heavyweight title from the Russian to become a four-weight World ruler.

The Mexican superstar beat Smith’s old foe and fellow Liverpool fighter Rocky Fielding in December 2018 to win the WBA regular belt at 168lbs – his third weight to rule at – and will be gunning to follow his domination at Middleweight up to Super-Middle.

Smith (27-0 19 KOs) has landed the huge fight he has craved, and the powerful Brit will be out to cement his position as top dog at 168lbs. ‘Mundo’ landed the WBA and Ring belts he puts on the line with a clinical stoppage win over fellow countryman George Groves in the seventh round of final of the inaugural World Boxing Super Series in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in September 2018.

The 30 year old has defended the titles twice since, stopping Hassan N’Dam in New York in June 2019 and then outpointing John Ryder in his Liverpool hometown five months later. Smith will also be out for family revenge when he steps through the ropes, with Canelo having beaten Smith’s brother Liam in Texas in September 2016.

“I’m very happy to return to the ring and continue to make history,” said Canelo. “I am motivated to continue to be the best, and I look forward to fighting Callum Smith, who is one of the best at 168lbs.”

“We are very happy to return to the ring and close out the year with one more victory to continue demonstrating that Canelo is the best boxer on this planet,” said Eddy Reynoso, Sport and Talent director at Canelo Promotions and Canelo’s trainer.

“I’ve been wanting a big fight since becoming World champion, so I’m so pleased that during these challenging times we can deliver to the fans a fight between the very best in the division,” said Smith. “I truly believe I beat him and will prove that 168lbs is my division.”

“I’m delighted to be part of this huge fight to close out 2020 and deliver this opportunity for Callum Smith,” said Eddie Hearn, managing director of Matchroom Sport. “Canelo is a fearless competitor who constantly challenges himself against great champions and this will be a thrilling battle for 168lb supremacy. It’s a pleasure to be working with Canelo and Eddy Reynoso and we look forward to a spectacular event on December 19.”

“We’re thrilled to work with our great partners Canelo Alvarez, Eddy Reynoso and Matchroom on this new venture,” said Ed Breeze, DAZN EVP, Rights. “Canelo vs. Smith is a perfect fight to support DAZN’s global launch in December as we look forward to introducing the platform to sports fans around the world.”

An announcement on the venue for the fight will be made soon.

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  • Very interesting fight. It should be a good test for Canelo coming off the 13 month layoff. If Smith brings his top level game, there could be an upset. I am picking Canelo by UD though. Very ironic it ends up being on DAZN after the lawsuit.

    • I think once Canelo settles into the fight, he will bull doze his way into Smith by cutting off the ring and pound on him via ropes. Yes, agreed, Canelo by UD!

  • Whoever says Callum Smith is a cherry pick is an absolute idiot and obvious hater! This is a dangerous fight for both guys but i definitely give Canelo the edge.

    • Blue fever: ur exactly right. Just last year, Smith was one of the fighters these “critics” were saying was being avoided. Now that he is up for the fight, people are talking crap saying its cherry picking again. Those People r stupid. Thats my analysis lmao.

  • Smith is a real fighter. Props to Canelo for taking a fight with little to gain and much to lose. Maybe Oscar was the cherry picker all along. If he is successful here do we dare ask for Beiterbev next?! That’s a scary fight for Alvarez but it is winnable if he has a great game plan and ready to walk through fire. I really believe Canelo has balls and wants the big fights and slimy De la Hoya just wanted the greenbacks.

    • ODH is old school. He comes from a time when the best fight the best and take risks. And Oscar walked the talk. The disconnect between him and Canelo is Oscar actually wanted the big fights and prove Canelo the best against Charlo and Andrade etc. It was Canelo camp wasn’t onboard and developed contempt for DLH for pressuring those good fights. You never heard Canelo say he wanted to fight those guys or be the best. Canelo wants the money.

      • NJ Boxing talks like he was on Canelo’s promotional team. How do you know Canelo wasn’t onboard? Don’t speculate or assume opinions are welcomed, but you’re talking like you have first hand knowledge and we all know you don’t. So sit back, enjoy the fight and don’t take yourself too seriously.

  • Callum Smith has the same reach and height than Usyk. Is a risky fight for any 168, but the footwork and body punch of Canelo could be the key to stop him. Good matchup though.

  • I really want to back Smith to win but feel the timing is against him on top of it being a fairly late announcement considering the fight is just a month away.
    Smith too will have been out of the ring for 13 months and coming off a bad night in his previous outing.
    Been disappointed that Smith’s career didn’t take off after the Groves win although if he pulls off the upset here he will become a massive name overnight

  • Smiths a good opponent for Canelo, only concern is what shape is Smith presently in? If he’s out of shape and not been training then a month isn’t enough time to fully prepare, saying that, this fight has been mentioned now for a few weeks, so hopefully he’s been working hard and will be ready.

    Still can’t see him beating Canelo though, not unless he can knock him out.

    • I agree. But if Golovkin could not knock Canelo out, Smith probably can`t either. Great fight between two great fighters…

  • I’m very happy to see the biggest name challenging the best boxer in the division.

  • Finally a very good matchup, other than Garcia Spence coming up, most of the top tier fighters have been fighting b class opponents to this past their prime, ala Brook v Crawford. I was looking forward to the Canelo v plant match, not for excitement, just so someone would expose plant, he’s a good fighter but not impressive and nowhere near caliber fighter he claims to be. Hope it’s in Texas where there will be fans in stands, boxing isn’t the same without the fans.

    • Agree, the aura created by the presence of rabid fans is something especial. Just imagine Ali vs. Frazier in manila with no fans or Morales vs. Barrera and many other great fights in empty arenas. Hopefully this will end soon

  • Canelo is probably a 2-1 favorite but Smith will be in top shape for this one…forget the Ryder fight. Smith is no Rocky Fielding and will make better use of height and reach advantages. Canelo didn’t plow through Danny Jacob who had height and reach and enough pop on his punches .. I think Smith will do better than Jacob. Edge to Canelo.. an upset will not surprise me

  • It’s gonna who has the better chin on that night. CS has pretty good speed and combinations and seems to take a good punch. He does keep his hands up so that’s a good thing. Maybe Smith with an upset or Canelo by late stoppage, somewhat controversial most likely.

  • If the Smith that fought Ryder shows up for this fight then it will be a walk in the park for Canelo

  • Smith will smash him. I think Oscar had alot to do with Canelo “winning” certain fights.

  • This is why Canelo Alvarez is #1 Pound for Pound fighter in the Universe!! Nobody comes close!! Viva Mexico Cabrones!!!

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