Weekend Fight Preview – Canelo vs Fielding

This weekend the boxing world’s attention will look towards the Super middleweight division as boxing star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will challenge WBA (Regular) champion Rocky Fielding in a surprising weight jump for the Mexican. Here are my thoughts below on the match-up along with the undercard.

Canelo vs Fielding

When the fight was first announced I don’t think many could quite believe that it was really the case. Personally, I was surprised to see Canelo wanting to move up in weight after his battles with Golovkin, as I thought he might want to stick around 160lb for a while longer to do what GGG probably will not – become an undisputed middleweight champion. Canelo clearly has different goals as he aims to become three-weight world champion. He said:

“I am preparing to make the best of it in this fight by any way, by any means necessary. I’m going to give everything in the ring, and I’m always going to look for the KO as I do in my fights.

“It’s very important to be on that list of about 10 Mexicans to become three-division world champions, to enter history. 

“That’s why I’m here taking on this important fight, and it’s important that we win this title.”

For Rocky, I’m absolutely chuffed to bits that he will get a massive pay day, but that can’t be the only thing he wants come fight night, he must go for the win on Saturday. After coming off an impressive win over German Tyron Zeuge in July for the WBA (Regular) belt, he still has a lot more to give and prove.

Under the watchful eye of BBBofC trainer of the year Jamie Moore, he will know this will be the hardest and biggest challenge to date for his fighter. But this is a good time to be in the Moore camp with some quality fighters in the gym including former world champion Carl Frampton, they will no doubt be pushing Rocky to really make a mark on Saturday. Fielding also has more advantages over Canelo than many would think, obviously being the much bigger man (see above). His reach advantage and experience in the weight division itself will be a key against the Mexican.

The question that will be asked of Canelo is if he can handle the weight difference on Saturday and if it will be a step too far. I think everyone will be expecting Alvarez to go for the body on Rocky and try close the distance if he expects to dominate on the night. Either way I think it will be a much closer fight than than what some people are suggesting.

For my prediction, I think it could be a similar result to the Canelo vs Kahn fight and will be a close 50-50 match up at times, but Alvarez is an incredibly intelligent fighter, and will no doubt look to set up traps in the early rounds to help set up a win in the later rounds. Canelo KO 

Undercard

I’m actually quite happy with this undercard with some big names going to be fighting including IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer, lightweight unified champion Katie Taylor, former world champions David Lemieux and Sadam Ali, along with up and coming star Ryan “Kingry” Garcia. The name I’m most looking forward to see however in the undercard is Canadian Yves Ulysse Jr, who I highly recommend you watch if you get the chance – incredible talent (check him out here). Here is the full list below:

(Updated 15 December)

David Lemieux vs Tureano Johnson – middleweight (Off due to Lemieux struggling to make weight causing dehydration)

Tevin Farmer vs Francisco Fonseca –  for IBF Super featherweight title

Katie Taylor vs Eva Wahlstrom – For IBF/WBA Lightweight titles

Sadam Ali vs Mauricio Herrera – Super welterweight

Yves Ulysse Jr vs Omar Tienda – Super lightweight

Ryan Garcia vs Braulio Rodriguez – Lightweight

Lamont Roach vs Alberto Mercado – for WBO international Super featherweight title.

Vergil Ortiz vs TBA – Super lightweight (NY athletic commission not allowing opponent to fight due to having laser eye surgery a couple of day before the fight)

I’ll leave you with the part 1 pre fight documentary from DAZN below. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

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