LAS VEGAS • Saul "Canelo" Alvarez won a close, often tense but uncontroversial decision over Daniel Jacobs in their hotly anticipated middleweight championship unification fight on Saturday night.
Ringside judges Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld turned in cards of 115-113, while Glenn Feldman scored it 116-112 as Alvarez (52-1-2 with 35 knockouts), unified boxing's 160-pound (72kg) division.
The Mexican added the American's International Boxing Federation belt to the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council straps that he won from Gennady Golovkin last September.
Alvarez has now all but cleaned it out - four years after capturing the lineal title from Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto to establish a foothold in the division.
After his second win since signing a five-year, 11-fight contract worth a minimum of US$365 million (S$497.4 million) with the streaming service DAZN, he told reporters: "It was just what we thought because of the style of fight he brings, but we did our job.
"I'm just looking for the biggest challenge. That's why I'm here. That's what I was born for, to fight, to defend what's mine. I'll fight anyone."
Jacobs (35-3 with 29 knockouts), who entered the bout as a 6-1 underdog with bookmakers, had trouble finding the elusive Alvarez for long stretches of the fight before a rollicking Cinco de Mayo weekend crowd at the T-Mobile Arena.
Although he tweaked his tactics to come on strong in the second half, landing 131 of 649 punches (20 per cent), Alvarez, whose patience, poise and exquisite technique were on full display for 12 rounds, still connected with 118 of 466 of his punches (40 per cent).
Admitting his opponent was "a tremendous champion", Jacobs, whose "Miracle Man" nickname stems from having overcome bone cancer, said: "I tip my hat to him (Alvarez). I gave my all out there."
The day had started with a hint of controversy when Jacobs came in 3.7lb over the contracted rehydration limit of 170. But, though the cost of the blown weight check was steep, he was content to forfeit nearly US$1 million of his US$10 million guarantee for the best chance of winning.
Having now claimed three of the four major belts at 160lb, Alvarez, who earned US$35 million on the night, may target World Boxing Organisation title-holder Demetrius Andrade for his customary September fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend to become an undisputed champion.
But a third fight with Golovkin, the first ending in a controversial draw, which was further marred by Alvarez's positive drug test in the lead-up to the rematch, would be a bigger hit commercially.
The Kazakh, who is also signed with DAZN and was at ringside, tried to talk up a third instalment.
He slagged off the fight, during which neither man was knocked down or in serious trouble, as "boring" and "just a sparring match".
Golovkin, whom many observers believed won their first fight in September 2017, tweeted: "They should give more to the audience, the boxing community. I didn't see any emotions. I didn't see anything special."
THE GUARDIAN
Liverpool's Klopp Fined Over Referee Comments Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was fined £45,000 ($59,000) by the Football Association on Thursday for suggesting referee Kevin Friend had favoured West Ham in his side's 1-1 draw at the London Stadium earlier this month.
Liverpool's Klopp fined over referee comments - Daily Nation
Newport keeper skips FA Cup celebrations after wife goes into labour be with his wife who had gone into labour during the match. Day, who had turned his phone off during the shock 2-0 fourth
Football: Newport County keeper Joe Day cuts short FA Cup
Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday, spearheading the ambitious country's attempts to become a footballing force at last. It was not immediately clear if the former Juventus and Real Madrid star will lead the team on a temporary or permanent basis -- Chinese media speculated that the upcoming
Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China
The captains return to Dutch Harbor days before the opening of king crab season. As they prepare their boats and their crews to battle the Bering Sea, they must also face each other to settle unfinished business from the past season.
Captain's unfinished business, Football News & Top Stories
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says "It's about getting your philosophy through and principles of how we want to play. On never giving up Reds stars react to Ole news article.
Man Utd legend Yorke feared he had blown it against Bayern by
Apr 06, 2019 · Teenage sensation Moise Kean scored the winner to put Juventus one step away from an eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday as a 2-1 comeback win over AC Milan pushed the champions 21 points
Kean winner puts Juventus on brink of Serie A title
Players past and present have joined fans in paying tribute to England World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who has died at the age of 81. The news of his passing was released by his family
Gordon Banks: World Cup-winning goalkeeper dies aged 81
Expedia Group Study Reveals 9 in 10 Indian Football Fans Plan Their Holidays Around Sporting Events is the most desirable celeb to join fans travelling to a game
Ravens Travel Guide | What Stadiums Fans Should Visit On The
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched by a pitch-invading Birmingham fan in a shocking incident during Sunday's Championship clash, but the midfielder had the last laugh as he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over their bitter rivals. Grealish was in the Birmingham penalty area in the 10th
Jack Grealish latest: Man charged with assault gets death
Premier League: Mauricio Pochettino Loses His Cool As Tottenham Hotspur Slump, Huddersfield Closer To Relegation
Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfield closer
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar revealed he "spent two days at home crying" after suffering another metatarsal injury. Neymar is recovering from a foot injury sustained in PSG's Coupe de
Neymar: PSG striker 'cried for two days' after breaking a
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli Injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli will not derail Tottenham's Premier League title challenge, insists Davinson Sanchez.
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli
Gotze predicts success for diligent Dortmund, Football News
Son moved to Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and scored only four times in 28 league matches but he has since turned his fortunes around and looks set to have his best season in a Spurs
Football: Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion
0 comments:
Post a Comment