Canelo Álvarez vs. Callum Smith explained

Fight Name:Canelo Álvarez vs. Callum Smith
Fight Date:19 December 2020
Location:Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Titles:WBA (Super), The Ring and vacant WBC super middleweight titles
Fighter1: Callum Smith
Nickname1:"Mundo"
Hometown1:Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
Record1:27–0 (19 KO)
Height1:6 ft 3 in
Weight1:168 lb
Style1:Orthodox
Recognition1:WBA (Super) and The Ring
Super Middleweight Champion
TBRB
No. 1 Ranked Super Middleweight
Fighter2: Saúl Álvarez
Nickname2:"Canelo"
Hometown2:Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Record2:53–1–2 (36 KO)
Height2:5 ft 8 in
Weight2:168 lb
Style2:Orthodox
Recognition2:WBA, TBRB and The Ring
Middleweight Champion
TBRB
No. 4 Ranked Super Middleweight
The Ring No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter
3-division world champion
Result:Álvarez defeated Smith by Unanimous Decision

Canelo Álvarez vs. Callum Smith was a professional boxing match contested on 19 December 2020, for the WBC, WBA and The Ring Super Middleweight championship.[1]

Background

Since defeating George Groves in the final of the World Boxing Super Series in September 2018, Callum Smith had made two successful defences and was seen as the best Super Middleweight in the division.[2]

Canelo Álvarez had fought in three different weight divisions in his previous three bouts, having defeated Rocky Fielding at super middleweight, before returning to middleweight to unify against Daniel Jacobs (giving him 3 out of the 4 belts) and most recently in November 2019 when he moved up to Light Heavyweight to successfully challenge Sergey Kovalev for his WBO belt.

On 17 November Álvarez confirmed he would be challenging Smith on 19 December 2020, with the vacant WBC title also at stake.[3] [4] This came less than two weeks after Álvarez was released from his contract with Golden Boy Promotions after a lawsuit was settled for breach of contract.[5]

The fight was to be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.[6]

Álvarez's trainer Eddy Reynoso revealed that his fighter had been sparring with undefeated heavyweight Frank Sánchez in preparation for the bout.[7] [8]

The fight

On the night, Álvarez controlled the action over twelve rounds, making himself difficult to hit, jabbed smartly and whenever he could hitting Smith with his trademark shots to the body.[9]

At the end 12 rounds Álvarez by unanimous decision with scores of 119–109, 119–109, 117–111.[10] [11]

Aftermath

Speaking afterwards Álvarez said "This is one of the best nights I have had".[12]

Smith suffered a detached left bicep during the bout.

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fight:2588134 . boxrec.com . BoxRec . 28 March 2024.
  2. Web site: Transnational Boxing Rankings Board: Ranking Archive (8 December 2020). tbrb.org . TBRB . 28 March 2024.
  3. Web site: Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to fight Briton Callum Smith on 19 December . bbc.co.uk . BBC . 28 March 2024 . 18 November 2020.
  4. Web site: Iole . Kevin . Canelo Alvarez once again shows boxing world how it's done . Yahoo Sports . 18 November 2020 . 18 November 2020.
  5. Web site: Baby . Ben . Canelo Alvarez a free agent, released from Golden Boy contract . ESPN . 6 November 2020 . 7 November 2020.
  6. Web site: Venue Confirmed For Canelo Alvarez Vs. Callum Smith . Fight Sports . 20 November 2020 . 20 November 2020.
  7. Web site: Rivera. Miguel. Reynoso Confident Canelo Will Get Inside, Nullify Smith's Size Advantage. 2021-06-19. BoxingScene.com. 17 December 2020 . en-us.
  8. Web site: Luke Reddy . Callum Smith v Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez: An underdog champion fights a seasoned risk-taker . bbc.co.uk/ . BBC . 28 March 2024 . 18 December 2020.
  9. Web site: Luke Reddy . Callum Smith v Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez: Mexican dominates British fighter . bbc.co.uk . BBC . 28 March 2024.
  10. Web site: 2020-12-20. Callum Smith suffers grotesque detached bicep from Canelo onslaught. 2021-06-14. World Boxing News. en.
  11. Web site: Muehlhausen . Steven . Canelo Alvarez puts a beating on Callum Smith to become unified super middleweight champion . DAZN News . 29 December 2020 . 31 December 2020.
  12. Web site: Luke Reddy . All the reaction to Alvarez's impressive points victory over Smith . bbc.co.uk . BBC . 28 March 2024 . 20 December 2020.
  13. Web site: BoxRec - event.