Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is expecting a "special fight" against Callum Smith after it was announced the super-middleweight clash will take place at the Alamodome in Texas.
A limited number of fans will be present at the venue in San Antonio as Alvarez makes his first appearance since splitting with Golden Boy Promotions.
The Mexican has not fought this year, his previous appearance in the ring seeing him stop Sergey Kovalev to become WBO light-heavyweight champion in November 2019.
Canelo has now opted to drop back down to the 168-pound limit to take on reigning WBA 'Super' champion Smith, who boasts a 27-0 record and is ranked by The Ring magazine as the best in the division.
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The Alamodome - which has previously staged fights involving Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander Holyfield and Manny Pacquiao - is familiar territory for Alvarez, as he recorded a points triumph over Austin Trout there back in April 2013.
"I am thrilled to be back at the Alamodome and very thankful to be fighting in front of my fans on December 19," the four-division world champion said in a press release to confirm the venue.
"I have great memories of my previous bouts in Texas, and I expect this to be a special fight to close out the year."
. @Canelo v @CallumSmith23 lands in Texas @Alamodome - Tickets on sale next week!!! @daznboxing pic.twitter.com/nGHnIEySNl
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) November 20, 2020
Smith will be hoping for a better outcome than when his brother, Liam, fought Canelo in Texas just over four years ago.
On that occasion, Alvarez stopped his British opponent in the ninth round to claim the WBO light-middleweight belt at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
"It's fantastic news to be able to hold this great fight in front of fans and in a great stadium like the Alamodome," said promoter Eddie Hearn.
Canelo has campaigned at super-middleweight previously, stopping WBA champion Rocky Fielding inside three rounds in December 2018 at Madison Square Garden.