Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith boxing odds, preview, and pick
Saul Canelo Alvarez during match against Austin Trout at the Alamodome. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire)
December 18th, 2020
The second coming of Canelo will take place this weekend when boxing’s biggest attraction makes his long awaited 2020 debut against Callum Smith.
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez faces the undefeated Brit this Saturday, Dec.19, and BetAmerica has the odds and picks to make you a winner on fight night.
Can Canelo chop Smith down to size?
Though Canelo is coming off of an incredible KO of light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev and is actually coming down in weight for this challenge, Smith presents a different kind of opponent for him. He’s six inches taller than Canelo, and has a reach advantage of over seven inches. Bettors don’t see this as a huge factor, however, installing Canelo as a heavy favorite with eyes on a potential stoppage.
Canelo needed to hit an aged and weathered Kovalev with everything he had to finally crack him late in their fight, but Smith’s reach and size may give Canelo pause as he tries to maneuver around his long jab. At the same time, Smith is coming off a dubious win over John Ryder in his last fight, so it isn’t out of the question that Canelo can score a stoppage here.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith tale of the tape
| Canelo Alvarez | --- | Callum Smith |
|---|
53-1-2 (38 KO) | Record | 27-0 (19 KO) |
30 | Age | 30 |
5'9" | Height | 6'3" |
70.5 inches | Reach | 78 inches |
4-0-1 (2 KO) | Last 5 fights | 5-0 (2 KO) |
Experience | Key intangibles | Size |
Smith is taking a major step up in class
Smith is a respectable champion who has plenty of tools to trouble Canelo, but it’s hard seeing him beat one of the best fighters in the world. Granted, Smith’s size and willingness to fight may give him an edge, but it will also give Canelo plenty of openings. Canelo is quick on his feet and one of the best combination punchers in the sport, and coupled with his underrated ring IQ, he’ll soon show he’s too much for Smith to handle.
What benefits Canelo here is that Smith isn’t defensively stout, and his reach isn’t impossible to overcome. It might take Canelo a round or two to try out a few things to open Smith up, but it’s hard to envision Canelo losing this fight unless Smith hurts him early and stops him.
Canelo will win by decision
All things considered, Canelo should look impressive against Smith. While he can knock Smith out, he’ll struggle with his range and reach long enough to settle for a decision. Because Canelo is such a huge favorite, bet on Canelo winning by decision (+165) or the fight going the distance (+120) for a solid pickup.
Pick: Alvarez (-625)
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