Canelo Alvarez v Daniel Jacobs Preview, Betting Tips And Enhanced Odds

Another box office clash for fight fans this weekend as Canelo Alvarez puts his belts on the line when he takes on Daniel Jacobs at the T-Mobile Arena. Few can argue that Canelo is one of the pound-for-pound best fighters on the planet, however he should be tested this weekend by ‘The Miracle Man’ in the boxing mecca of Vegas. The most credible voice in the sport, Boxing News, steps back into the ring with FansBet with their betting preview and tips for the much-anticipated fight and if you are after some betting value then check out our selection of enhanced odds available in our FanBoosts section.

Enhanced Odds For Canelo v Jacobs Available Here! Max Bet £25.

Canelo v Jacobs: A Good Fight?

IT’S become fashionable among the boxing hardcore to discredit Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, largely because of last year’s failed drug test and the measly punishment, yet it’s hard to pick holes in his record. And Daniel Jacobs, who aside from Gennady Golvkin is Canelo’s leading middleweight rival, is the latest elite opponent to challenge the Mexican superstar.

On the line is Canelo’s WBA and WBC middleweight titles alongside Jacobs’ IBF belt, making this a welcome unification contest – which on paper is fairly evenly matched – in a boxing year that has been largely forgettable so far.

The Setting

Much will be made of it being staged inside Las Vegas’ impressive T-Mobile Arena. It has been the setting for several of Canelo’s recent biggest fights; in particular, his two highly contentious contests with Gennady Golovkin.

For almost all observers, Golovkin deserved to win at least one of those fights and strong arguments can be made he won both. Yet Canelo was gifted a draw in their first contest – judge Adalaide Byrd’s outrageous 118-110 scorecard in the redhead’s favour stole all the headlines – before he was adjudged the winner in a closer than close return.

Throw in some other silly scores that have flattered Canelo, 28, in Sin City down the years (114-114 vs Floyd Mayweather, 119-109 vs Miguel Cotto, 117-111 vs Erislandy Lara) and it’s easy to see why the cynics are already predicting a lopsided points win for the favourite.

Jacobs’ history in Las Vegas doesn’t brighten the outlook for the 32-year-old underdog. The Brooklyn resident’s last visit was way back in 2010 when he was knocked out in five rounds by Russian Dmitry Pirog inside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

40 DAYS: Canelo vs. Jacobs | Episode 1: “Roots”

40 DAYS: Canelo vs. Jacobs | Episode 2: “Drive”

Recent Form

If you ignore the fact that Canelo was caught taking performance enhancing drugs last year – and the boxing authorities largely have, so you might as well – his recent form has been exceptionally impressive.

That aforementioned draw with Golovkin in 2017 appeared to highlight some limitations in Canelo’s skillset yet the improvement he displayed in the return, just one year later, was significant. Also consider how far he’s come since he was defeated by Floyd Mayweather in 2014 and you have the makings of an all-time great.

With underrated footwork and a near faultless boxing brain, Canelo is an intelligent assassin inside the ring, making space for his uppercuts and hooks with bewildering movement. When you consider he was once written off as a limited pressure fighter not that long ago, his supreme skills deserve the highest praise.

Canelo Alvarez Speaks On His Motivation, Daniel Jacobs, & More

As for Jacobs, he too has rebuilt following a loss. That knockout defeat to Pirog would have ruined lesser men yet Jacobs – whose heroic conquering of cancer is well documented – learnt from it and became a much better and smarter fighter.

Subsequent KO victories over Caleb Truax, Sergio Mora and Peter Quillan should be applauded and his 2016 points loss to Gennady Golovkin is worthy of inspection here: Despite being dropped in the fourth, he boxed masterfully at times and, in the eyes of some ringsiders, deserved more than defeat from the scorecards. Since then Jacobs has stripped three fighters of their unbeaten records while displaying his underrated grit and determination alongside his obvious skills.

Daniel Jacobs Has Come Too Far To Fall Short Of His Goals

Canelo Alvarez v Daniel Jacobs Betting Tips

Canelo on points is the smart bet. He has displayed new facets to his game in recent years and his unique ability to bang like a slugger and box beautifully should give Jacobs fits. So much so, the smarter money could be on the Mexican to win inside schedule – specifically in the last quarter of the bout.

However, for these kind of fights one should always cover the draw – this is boxing in Las Vegas, after all – and if you fancy Jacobs to pull off the upset, and create a feel-good story of the ages – go big on the American to win on points.