Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is arguably already boxing’s best counterpuncher, and the three-division world champion is showing an improving ability to make swift in-ring adjustments to any style en route to more and more victories.
That being said, how does Daniel Jacobs pull off the upset in their middleweight world title unification fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, live and exclusively on DAZN?
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Well, former world champions Jessie Vargas and Sergio Mora did an in-ring demonstration for DAZN, with Mora rattling off these five keys to victory for “The Miracle Man.”
And hey, Mora more than anyone should know what it will take, as he suffered a TKO loss to Jacobs back in September 2016.
Use size advantage, don’t let Canelo plant his feet
"Daniel Jacobs needs to use that size advantage. He has a three-inch size advantage with that jab, and he’s probably going to outweigh Canelo about 20 pounds. Use that height, use that reach and do not let Canelo plant his feet. That’s when Canelo is most explosive."
Stay off the ropes
"Stay off the ropes if you’re Jacobs. As soon as you’re getting near the ropes, you’ve got to escape, and if you escape, Canelo will chase after you."
Switch to southpaw
"Like Jacobs did real well against [Gennady] Golovkin, he turned southpaw and he was effective turning southpaw. So, if he’s moving and he turns southpaw, then that automatically has to make Canelo reset his game plan because he’s going from orthodox, moving to righty."
Get respect while moving
"For 36 minutes, he’s going to have to be moving, but there’s no way he keeps Canelo off without getting respect, so he’s going to have to get Canelo’s respect and there’s one way to do that. He needs to keep the Mexican [fighting style] off, and punch him any which way you can and do not stay stationary if you’re Jacobs.
MORE: Breaking down how Canelo wins
Countering Canelo’s counters
Jacobs needs to not get timed [for a Canelo counterpunch]. You can’t throw the same punch at the same velocity, the same speed. And use your feints, [draw Canelo in] and then counter the counter. Do not let Canelo plant his feet. I cannot emphasize that enough. You let this man plant his feet, it’s going to be bad news for Daniel Jacobs."
