YES HE CAN
Canelo Alvarez defeats Daniel Jacobs on points in Las Vegas middleweight unification clash
MEXICAN superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez moved three-quarters of the way to middleweight immortality after outpointing Daniel Jacobs in Las Vegas.
Coming into the fight as WBC and WBA king, Canelo ripped away cancer survivor Jacob’s IBF world title after 12 rounds of boxing at the T-Mobile Arena.
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After claiming another world title, the 28-year-old unified champion said he is open to a trilogy bout with Gennady Golovkin as well as looking for the WBO title that is missing from Alvarez’s collection.
Canelo said: “I'm just looking for the biggest fights and the biggest challenge. That's what I want for my next fight.
“I don't think me and Golovkin have any unfinished business. For me it's finished but I will fight him again if they want it and I will beat him again.”
Canelo began the fight in control, dictating the action with sharp jabs and effective head movement, evading any of Jacobs' oncoming shots.
“Miracle Man” Jacobs came into the fight having weighed over the agreed 10lbs rehydration limit and subsequently faces a financial penalty after scaling at 173lb.
He looked like a super-middleweight in the ring with a natural 160 campaigner in Canelo - although it is Alvarez who holds the diluted WBA ‘Regular’ world title in the weight above.
Canelo, however, was able to boss his man back and threatened with hooks to the body and the occasional whipping right hand over the top.
By six rounds Jacobs had struggled to stamp his authority on the bout, and despite looking crafty when switching to southpaw, Canelo was able to box comfortably at range through a stiff jab.
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In round seven Jacobs landed a swiping left and despite shrugging it off Canelo found himself retreating for the first time as he looked to be slowing down.
Canelo clipped his Brooklyn opponent with some short hooks during round eight but it was clear Jacobs was beginning to match the workrate of the Mexican.
Jacobs landed a flush overhand right on the chops of Canelo in round nine as the 32-year-old began to rally back following a slow start.
Canelo, who boxed for the second time since signing an 11-fight, £300million deal with DAZN, took Jacobs' shot well but was forced to trade off in the pocket to provide evidence he was unfazed.
By round 10 Miracle Man was beginning to work his magic, coming out on top with a right-hook catching Canelo.
Going into the 11th session Alvarez risked losing the lead he earned in the first half of the contest and the Mexican responded with heart in the championship rounds.
Back working behind the solid jab, Canelo began to pick holes but failed with a follow up and had to defend well on the ropes when Jacobs bulldozed the ginger haired star to the ropes.
Canelo started fast in the final round landing a left-hook and then followed up with three shots down the middle.
Jacobs found himself on the floor after a slip and when the American was brought to his feet the pair began to let their hands go.
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As the final bell rang, Canelo saw two scores of 115-113 and a 116-112 verdict announced in his favour as he handed Jacobs a third career defeat.
Jacobs, who in 2017 lost on points to Golovkin, said: "I feel great. I'll have to go back to the tapes and see exactly what the judges thought but I had conversations with my corner that I was up yet I still pressed forward because I wanted to finish strong.
"He is a heck of a champion and I have to take my hat off to him."
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