Boxing’s biggest star makes his 2020 debut against perhaps his toughest test to date as WBA (Super) and WBC “Franchise” middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez challenges Callum Smith for the WBA (Super), The Ring and vacant WBC super middleweight titles on Saturday, Dec. 19, in San Antonio, Texas.
It will be Canelo’s first fight since stopping Sergey Kovalev in the 11th round last November to claim the WBO light heavyweight title and become a four-division world champion. He returns to the 168-pound division for the second time after blowing out Rocky Fielding with a third-round TKO in December 2018 to capture the WBA (Regular) super middleweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“I’m very happy to return to the ring and continue to make history,” Alvarez said in a press release. “I am motivated to continue to be the best, and I look forward to fighting Callum Smith, who is one of the best at 168lbs.”
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The undefeated Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) is back in action against arguably the best fighter in boxing. In his last outing, Smith narrowly got by John Ryder in defense of his WBA (Super) and The Ring 168-pound titles. The winner of the World Boxing Super Series in 2018 was featured on the Canelo-Fielding undercard, where he stopped Hassan N’Dam in the third round. As the best super middleweight in the world, Smith aims to turn back the challenge of Canelo.
“I’ve been wanting a big fight since becoming world champion, so I’m so pleased that during these challenging times we can deliver to the fans a fight between the very best in the division,” Smith said. “I truly believe I beat him and will prove that 168lbs is my division.”
Can Canelo once again prove he’s pound for pound the best fighter in the world? Or does Smith upset the apple cart and pull off the massive upset?
When is Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith?
Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Canelo-Smith: 11 p.m. ET
Canelo Alvarez’s return to the ring against Callum Smith takes place on Saturday, Dec. 19. The card starts at 8 p.m. ET, with Alvarez and Smith expected to take their ring walks about 11 p.m. ET, depending on the length of the earlier fights.