The WBA (Super), WBC and The Ring belts will be on the line, with Canelo a strong favourite in the fight, despite Smith boasting a startling height advantage. The Mexican, though, is used to facing larger opponents, having won a world title at light heavyweight against Sergey Kovalev with a brutal knockout.
The styles make for an intriguing contest, with Canelo’s famous bodywork likely to be the perfect answer for Smith’s size, which should provide a sizeable target over the 12 rounds, and the Liverpudlian will need to provide a much more impressive performance to hang with Canelo based off his last performance, a controversial decision over John Ryder.
Here is everything you need to know about the last mega fight of the year:
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The fight takes place on Saturday 19 December, meaning both men will have been out of the ring for more than a year when they take centre ring.
The fight will be at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, with fans set to be in attendance, unlike the majority of cards since the global coronavirus pandemic.
Canelo is looking to establish himself as the man at both middleweight and super-middleweight
(Getty)
The fight will be streamed exclusively on DAZN worldwide (excluding Mexico), including in the UK. DAZN recently launched their service globally for a cut-price fee of £1.99.
Smith’s WBA (Super) and Ring magazine belts will be on the line
(PA)
What time will the fight start and when are the ring walks?
The main event ring walks will be anywhere between 4 and 5am UK time.
Christian Alan Gomez Duran vs Angel Hernandez – Welterweight contest
Alexis Espino vs Ashton Sykes – Super-middleweight contest
Raymond Ford vs Juan Antonio Lopez – Featherweight contest
Austin Williams vs Isiah Jones – Middleweight contest
Alexis Eduardo Molina vs Robert Greenwood – Featherweight contest
Marc Castro vs Luis Javier Valdes – Super-featherweight contest
Canelo’s power and precision will be simply too much, as will his chin. He’ll be able to endure any punishment from Smith while countering to the body – it will be a good fight and Canelo will give rounds away but he should be able to finish Smith inside the distance here.
Canelo: “I’m very happy to return to the ring and continue to make history.
“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.”
Smith: “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.”I truly believe I beat him and will prove that 168 pounds is my division.”
