Any time Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has a fight date pencilled in it immediately becomes an event and one of the biggest nights on the boxing calendar. The Mexican superstar has fought and traded with some of the very best fighters over the years, losing just once to all-time great Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
This Saturday, Canelo faces Callum Smith in what will be the sixth time that the four-weight world champion has faced British opposition. The vacant WBC title, Smith’s WBA Super and Ring magazine straps are on the line. But who will come out on top in a fight which, on paper, looks an intriguing battle in prospect? The Boxing Social team took their phones out and contacted fighters, ex-fighters, trainers and managers to get their picks.
Carl Frampton: I hope I’m wrong, but I’d have to side with Canelo. I don’t think Canelo would have went near Callum until he seen his John Ryder performance. Also, he hasn’t had as much time to get ready for this type of fight that he’d have liked. Any round reasonably close will go to Canelo and for these reasons I pick him on points. But I hope Smith can pull it off.
Caoimhin Agyarko: I think Canelo wins. I’d love to see Callum Smith winning it, but I think Callum’s style will play into Canelo’s hands although I think Callum can give him a lot of problems. Canelo just too fast, strong and smart.
Alex Arthur: Canelo wins. He can win one of two ways. He can lead Callum on to sharp counters before using head and upper body movement to sway and glide away to a landslide points win, or he can win by steady pressure and body punching as Callum will stand there with him, but I don’t feel he can match Canelo’s variety.
Jay Harris: Do you know what, I really don’t know. It’s a proper 50-50. I think Callum is massive at the weight and I think [he] can beat the odds so I’m going to back the Brit and go with Callum Smith.
Charlie Edwards: I think it will be Canelo’s closest fight, but I think Callum will get beat on a close split decision by Canelo.
Gavin McDonnell: I think you gotta go with a Canelo points win. [I] wish and hope Callum does it, but my money would go on Canelo.
Barry McGuigan: Prior to the John Ryder fight, I would have given Callum a better chance against Canelo but in that fight, you can see that Smith has problems against guys that fight out of a low centre of gravity, especially ones who can punch. There is no doubt that Callum has a chance with any super-middleweight or light-heavyweight in the world because he can punch very hard and he’s got good boxing skills. However, you’ve got to balance that with Canelo’s all-round ability. Alvarez can box and he’s amazing at closing the distance against taller opposition and he hits so hard particularly to the body, plus he’s got an unbelievable chin. So, I’m going for a wide points decision for Canelo, but I won’t be at all surprised if he gets Callum out of there in the championship rounds.
Rylan Charlton: I think Canelo will win due to his strength. He’s going to be far too strong for Callum Smith. I think Canelo will stop him within six rounds.
Ryan Walsh: Canelo on points. I think Canelo will win a very tight affair. I expect Smith to step up and revenge for his brother [Liam] could be that driving factor.
Joe Hughes: I know he’ll be a big underdog and it’s a big task, but I think Smith can pull it off. I think if he uses a lot of movement, keeps it at long range as much as possible and ties Canelo up every time he gets too close, he could get the win on points.
Steve Goodwin: Alvarez. Better all-round fighter. In addition, Smith has to knock him out to win as he will not win on points and I cannot see him being able to stop Canelo.
Jack Massey: Although I’d love for Smith to get the win I’m going with Canelo.
Martin Harkin: I’m going to pick Canelo to win. He’s looked more dominant in his recent fights. I think he’s beaten better opponents and looks better and better with each fight. Callum Smith, I think was lucky to beat John Ryder in his last fight. He didn’t look that good and the year out with inactivity might play a factor. Canelo TKO round 5.
Peter Fury: I think Smith will put up a good fight by using his size, reach and power and could possibly out box Canelo. However, Canelo has to be the favourite going into the fight. It’s not impossible but Smith has a very good chance. My brain says Canelo, but the heart says Smith.
Paddy Gallagher: I think Canelo will cut him up to the body and wear him down. Hard to go against him and, with Smith’s style, it’ll go well for him.
Mark Dunlop: I believe that Alvarez will win by late stoppage. I believe Callum has outgrown super-middleweight and the weight will suit Canelo better. Callum will be back at light-heavyweight and be a beast.
Jack Bateson: It’s hard to bet against Canelo Alvarez for any fight but if anyone can give Canelo problems it’s someone like Callum Smith. Massive for the weight, strong and everything to fight for. I will be rooting for Callum and really hope he can produce a career best performance and dethrone Alvarez. But it will be a tough ask.
Maxi Hughes: I’d like to see Callum Smith win using his size and range. Establishing a solid jab is key. He could even surprise Canelo on the inside with his short hooks and uppercuts. I don’t think Canelo will expect that. It’s a big ask but not impossible.
Sam Eggington: I want Smith to do it by decision, but I think Canelo will have too many advantages and take the last four rounds to win it after falling behind.
Carl Greaves: This is a tough ask for Callum. He is very good and fully deserves the opportunity of being the world and Ring magazine champion. But Canelo is a special fighter that in my opinion has got it all. Callum has got all the advantages; height, reach and is a massive super-middleweight. Although he probably underestimated John Ryder, he struggled with him and Canelo is a level above. It’s a big ask and he’s got a chance, but I think Canelo will stop him late or win on a wide points decision. I really hope I’m wrong because I would love Callum to pull it off.
Gary Jacobs: If Smith can keep him at length, he could win the fight. Only if. But I think Alvarez gets to him late on. My heart wants Smith to win.
Nathan Gorman: Canelo via mid-rounds stoppage. Hope I’m wrong. I would love to see Callum do it, but I think Canelo is just a great fighter that doesn’t come around very often.
Kieran Smith: I would love for Callum Smith to win but I just think Alvarez is all wrong for him after seeing him versus Ryder. I’m going to go with Alvarez, but I’ll be rooting for Smith to shock the world.
Sam Bowen: I think Canelo because of his strength and size. Can’t really see anyone he won’t grind down over 12 rounds.
Kelly Pavlik: I got Canelo in this one! ]I] think his boxing is sharp. Callum Smith will make it a little interesting with his size advantage but once Canelo figures it out, he will counter him and set up shots off of some brutal body work.
Jon Pegg: Callum Smith to deserve a narrow points win but Canelo to be given the points verdict. Callum’s size and feet will give Canelo severe problems.
Liam Walsh: I would love to see Callum win and I think he’s got the best chance of beating Canelo at the minute at 168 but in reality, how many rounds is he going to have to win to beat Canelo because if you’re not anywhere near close you’re not going to get it. I think he has to win nine or possibly 10 to get a result. On that basis, I’m going to have to go for Canelo on points. Possibly a close, controversial win.
Dimitry Bivol: To be honest, I have not seen the most recent fights of Callum Smith. I remember that he is a very tall and a very skilled boxer. From what I have read online, a lot of people think that this will be another victory for Canelo Alvarez. I believe that this will be a tough fight for Canelo, and likely one of the toughest opponents that he will face in his career.
Wayne McCullough: The bigger guys is Smith. He will need to use his reach to keep Canelo from getting close to him. He can use his left jabs and straight rights to do this. Smith likes to trade inside but he shouldn’t do that in this fight. We know he will fight hard and give it his all to try and win. Canelo will want to get inside to throw hard hooks and uppercuts to the body, something he does with success. He should be able to get through Smith’s guard to throw his overhand right to his opponent’s head. That punch could land clean on the chin of Smith and score a KO for Canelo. I’m picking this fight to be over in or around the 7th.
Sean McGoldrick: I think it’s a tough night for both and they’ll have to earn everything they do. Great style match-up! Both fighters at the top of the game, and in their primes. I’m backing Callum Smith.
Kash Farooq: I have Canelo winning it. I think he’s at his best at the moment, but I would love to see Callum Smith winning it.
Fabio Wardley: Canelo. I think you’ll see a lot of similarities in this fight to the Kovalev fight where Smith is the bigger, longer guy but Canelo will wear him through and just apply pressure in the first half of the fight. Then once he notices Smith slowing, he will step on the gas. Body shots from Canelo will play a big part as Smith long frame will give openings.
Kal Yafai: Callum will have to have the performance of his life but if he does, I’m backing him to shock the world! That height reach and sharp countering can be a big problem. I’m backing Callum to win on a points decision. Could be tight.
Mairis Briedis: This is a really big fight. I really don’t know who will win. It’s totally balanced. We don’t know what has been happening in their training camps. These guys are both very professional, but we don’t know what their health is like. We don’t know how they are going to feel in the last days before the fight. Have they had the coronavirus? Have they slept and got their rest? There are a lot of small things that can make a difference in a fight like this. For me, it’s totally 50-50. I don’t have a clear opinion on who will win this fight.
Tom Loeffler: I like all the Smith brothers, get along with them very well. I think Canelo’s hand speed and everything he learned in the GGG fights will be the difference. I think unanimous decision for Canelo, although I will be rooting for Callum.
Richard Riakporhe: I think this is going to be a very interesting fight. Smith is very skilful and has the confidence of being a champion. Plus, he’s very strong. From the pictures I’ve seen he’s very big and has had to come down, so I think he’ll be strong at the weight. It’s going to be competitive for however long it lasts. However, although Smith is very strong and has the fundamentals to compete, I feel that Canelo will get the W. If I was to guess the exact outcome, I’d say I’m leaning towards Canelo by points or late stoppage although Callum will give it everything he has.
Denzel Bentley: I think Canelo wins. I think he is a lot better movement wise and with his punch selection. I think he’ll break Smith down with some good bodywork.
John Ryder: I think Canelo will win. I think Smith’s time at 168lbs is over and he moves up to 175lbs after this.
Billy Nelson: I think Canelo will win by wearing Callum down with body shots switching back to the head. Late stoppage or points win for Canelo. I believe Callum should step up to light-heavy afterwards.
Gary Lockett: Canelo is the favourite but I see Callum causing all kinds of problems with his size and reach. If Callum can utilise those attributes then it’ll be a very difficult night for Canelo but, having said that, the Mexican has overcome these type of obstacles many times before. My heart says Smith but my head is going with Canelo – I hope that I’m wrong.
Ryan Rhodes: Canelo wins on points. Callum needs to keep his distance early in the fight use his height and reach, try not to get involved for the first half of the fight, needs to make Canelo miss then counter him with big shots, Callum won’t want to leave it to the judges so try for a late TKO if possible.
Otto Wallin: This could be a closer and better fight than a lot of people think. Smith is a big guy and pretty tall, as well as a good boxer. I think he can give Canelo some problems, but ultimately I think Canelo is going to be too much and will probably win a decision. It’s amazing how much Canelo has moved up in weight and how he is able to handle these bigger guys. It also seems like he is getting better all the time.
Josh Taylor: I think it’s a great fight. It’s a very good match-up and one of Canelo’s tougher matches of recent times just due to the pure size and the ability of Callum Smith. Smith is very smart, he’s tall and punches well on the inside for his height. He fights well on the inside, mixes it up well and has a great left hook. The only doubts I have is that Callum needs to vary up his jab and his straight punches because Canelo is very good at sneaking in and stealing a bit of space here and there, letting the punches go over, slipping and rolling the punches to get inside to get his big punches off. I think Callum needs to change up his variation of the jab and straight punches with feints and a little bit of upper body movement. The telling factor for me is Callum is just a little bit too predictable for Canelo. I do think it’ll be a very good fight and Callum will give a good account of himself and does well because Callum punches very hard. If he catches Canelo good and hurts him, you can be sure he’ll jump on him because he’s a very good finisher. It’s a very good fight, a close fight but I’m tipping Canelo on points.
Verdict –
Canelo: 35 votes
Smith: 4 votes
Undecided: 4 votes