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]
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]
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]
Speaking afterwards Álvarez said "This is one of the best nights I have had".[12]
Smith suffered a detached left bicep during the bout.
Confirmed bouts:[13]