Why fans and pundits should consider the Canelo Alvarez vs Daniel Jacobs unification a mega-fight!
This year, on the weekend of one of the most recognizable Mexican holidays (Cinco de Mayo), unified middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez will face IBF champion Daniel Jacobs. The winner will be the man to beat as three of the four major belts will be in their possession. This alone is what should make it a mega-fight, considering it’s a rare feat in the sport today.
Furthermore if you look deeper, there are more details explaining why the boxing community and fans feel this way. Both combatants’ performances against former unified champion Gennady Golovkin served to elevate them in the eyes of most.
Daniel Jacobs
Jacobs would suffer an early career loss against Dmitry Pirov, followed by a personal tragedy. He would be diagnosed with bone cancer that would wrap around his spine. His win against the disease would ultimately grant him the nickname “The Miracle Man”.
The Brooklyn fighter would return to the ring, eventually winning the WBA regular title. Finally a world champion, Jacobs would have his biggest test facing undefeated former WBO champion Peter Quillin in what was dubbed the “Battle of Brooklyn”.
Rising to the occasion, “The Miracle Man” would produce an impressive first round knock out. This elevated him in the eyes of fans so much, he earned a match with then division kingpin Golovkin.
Once again being viewed as the underdog, he would turn in a top level performance. This was so impressive that many felt enough was done to gain a victory, although, it wasn’t to be. After signing Matchroom Boxing, he would become a two-time champion. Now here we are in anticipation of a fight that should see him elevate his game given his track-record; adding much more intrigue to this match-up.
Canelo Alvarez
Alvarez doesn’t need an introduction. As the face of boxing, there isn’t anyone more relevant in the sport. The Golden Boy Promotions golden ticket earner has been on this stage several times, beginning with an early career bout against Floyd Mayweather.
Many felt the young, inexperienced fighter wasn’t quite ready for a fight of that magnitude, which resulted in his first career defeat. However, this wouldn’t be the end. Learning from this, he would prove to be a different man by defeating talented Cuban boxer Erislandy Lara two fights later.
However, a win over the Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto would make him ready to face Golovkin in the eyes of boxing fans. The first bout eventually happened two years later and ended in such controversy that a rematch had to happen.
It was in the rematch that Canelo laid to rest all the criticism from fans and team Golovkin for “running” in the prior bout. This time, he elected to fight in what many believe is true “Mexican Style”, as he stayed in the chest of the hard-punching fighter from Kazakhstan.
Alvarez walked away with a majority decision. This delighted fans who were pleased with the way he fought; showing pride for his great Mexican heritage. Once HBO closed the doors on boxing, this win would be the reason Eddie Hearn wasted little time signing the sports hottest free agent to a very lucrative contract with DAZN.
Destiny Awaits…
As you can see, these two fighters were fated to meet. Both overcame early career defeats, regained titles and were signed to the same platform. The winner of this fight will undoubtedly earn the most push from within the franchise going forward. Expect both men to raise their abilities to even higher heights!
That’s what makes this a mega-fight; the journey, the stakes, control of the division and bragging rights!
By: Garrisson Bland
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