Canelo v. Jacobs Prediction: Who Walks Out The Middleweight King?

Finally, the moment has arrived. It will be the best v. the best, belt for belt. The world will watch as Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs face off for the first time. The fight will air exclusively on DAZN and will be taking place inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Both fighters are ready to go to war, and all of the respect shown beforehand will be thrown out of the window. On the line? All the middleweight gold. Who will have the upper hand when main card action begins at 9 p.m. ET?

Tale of the Tape

• Canelo Alvarez      
  • Age: 28
  • Record: 51-1-2 (35 KOs)
  • Titles: WBA, WBC, The Ring and Lineal Middleweight
  • Win Streak: Two
  • Height: 5-foot-9
  • Reach: 70.5 inches

• Daniel Jacobs
  • Age: 32
  • Record: 35-2 (29 KOs)
  • Titles: IBF Middleweight
  • Win Streak: Three
  • Height: 5-foot-11
  • Reach: 73 inches

Jacobs has the height and reach advantage over Canelo, but history has proven that isn’t the be-all, end-all for a fight. In Canelo’s bout against Rocky Fielding, the latter was significantly taller than Canelo, but he was an easy target for the Mexican star. Now, Jacobs is a far different type of opponent than Fielding was, but it is something to consider. The speed of Jacobs, regardless of height, can be a true deciding factor in the bout.

Jacobs has not put away any of his last three opponents since losing to Gennadity Golovkin. In fact, Jacobs went the distance with Sergiy Derevianchenko in a bout that could have gone either way. One of his bouts with Luis Arias was also close, although Jacobs looked a lot more grounded during that fight.

Jacobs’ power is known, as is Canelo’s. It will all come down to who can land the correct amount of shots precisely. Defensively, Canelo has proved to reach inside, providing great combinations of offense and defense. Jacobs likes to reach, but he sometimes forgets his defensive capability in favor of acting cute in his bouts.

One thing to look out for is the judges. In big fights like this, there is always something off about the end result. There is a rematch clause on the table after all. If it ends up a fair ruling, however, it would be the result of one hell of an outing by both men.

Canelo believes it is his time to shine. The clear favorite in the bout, there isn’t a sign he is slowing down. However, as motivated as ever, Jacobs’ rise back to the top really begins with a Canelo defeat. Can the “Miracle Man” rise to the occasion? If he is patient and keeps his emotions in check, New York will be buzzing with another champion parading around the city.

Prediction: Jacobs via split decision