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) and The Ring super middleweight titles on Saturday, Dec. 19, in San Antonio, Texas.
Alvarez steps back into the ring for the first time since defeating Sergey Kovalev by 11th-round knockout in November 2019 to capture the WBO light heavyweight title to become a four-division world champion. This will be the second time Alvarez competes at 168 pounds. He blasted through Rocky Fielding via third-round TKO in December 2018 at Madison Square Garden to capture the WBA (regular) super middleweight belt.
“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.”
Smith is regarded as the best 168-pound fighter in the world. But until now, the problem had been he couldn't land the big fight to expand his profile. Now Smith finally gets what he's been asking for against boxing's marquee attraction. "Mundo" fought on the Canelo-Fielding card, defeating Hassan N'Dam by third-round TKO. He won the WBA title by knocking out George Groves in September 2018 at the World Boxing Super Series final. The Englishman last competed in November 2019, beating John Ryder via unanimous decision.
“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?
What time 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.
How to watch Canelo vs. Smith: TV channel, live stream
The card will stream live globally on DAZN, to more than 200 countries and territories (excluding Mexico, where it will be shown on TV Azteca). Click here to learn more about DAZN in your region.
In the U.S. and Canada, the fight is also available on PPV (which includes a gift code for a four-month DAZN subscription) via many major cable providers.
Where is Canelo vs. Smith taking place?
The Canelo vs. Smith fight will take place in San Antonio, Texas, at the Alamodome. A limited number of fans will be in attendance.
This will be Alvarez's second fight at the Alamodome, having beaten Austin Trout there in April 2013, and it will be Alvarez's fourth fight in Texas overall.
Canelo Alvarez record and bio
- Name: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez
- Nationality: Mexican
- Born: July 18, 1990
- Height: 5-8
- Reach: 70.5 inches
- Total fights: 56
- Record: 53-1-2 with 36 knockouts
Callum Smith record and bio
- Name: Callum Smith
- Nationality: English
- Born: April 23, 1990
- Height: 6-3
- Reach: 78 inches
- Total fights: 27
- Record: 27-0 with 19 knockouts
Canelo vs. Smith fight card
- Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith for Smith's The Ring and WBA (Super) super-middleweight titles
- Marc Castro vs. Luis Javier Valdes at featherweight
- Frank Sanchez vs. Julian Fernandez at heavyweight
- Raymond Ford vs. Juan Antonio Lopez
- Austin Williams vs. Isiah Jones at middleweight
- Christian Gomez Duran vs. Angel Hernandez at welterweight
- Alexis Eduardo Molina vs. Robert Greenwood at featherweight