Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs have to be restrained at weigh-in
Reporting from Las Vegas — Canelo Alvarez called it fear. Daniel Jacobs called it a message.
Following uneventful steps on the scale in which Alvarez weighed 159½ pounds and Jacobs weighed in at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds for their Saturday night main-event, three-belt unification at T-Mobile Arena, Jacobs quickly assumed his position on Alvarez’s side of the stage for photos of their face-off. When Alvarez approached, Jacobs met him by aggressively pressing his forehead to the champion’s.
The friction intensified to the point that there was more contact and a desperate need for both fighters to be restrained.
“Emotions flying high. I’ve never backed down from a challenge in my life,†Jacobs said, invoking the occasional street tension of his Brooklyn neighborhood. “I’m from Brownsville. Everything I do is for Brooklyn, and for the culture, and we’re about to do this for the city.â€
Jacobs yearns to replace Alvarez as the world’s most dominant middleweight.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I feel like I’m the best middleweight in the world and that [expletive] right there, he’s going to get it tomorrow,†Jacobs said.
The response was a swift departure from what had been a cordial fight week loaded with mutual respect. As the bout nears — and perhaps with a nod to attracting more media attention — the pleasantries vanished.
Alvarez, shirtless wearing green sweatpants, was visibly agitated by Jacobs’ aggression and ready to meet it with a response after his trainer, Eddy Reynoso, shoved Jacobs back, and others worked to restrain the three-division champion from Guadalajara.
“I’m going to say this in Spanish so all of the Mexicans can understand: He can go … his mother,†Alvarez said in Spanish. “For me, the people, my fans and my team, this [fight] is very important. This is a challenge we have tomorrow, and we’re going to win tomorrow.â€
When reminded that Jacobs is saying he will wear all three belts Saturday night, Alvarez said, “He won’t be able. He won’t be capable.â€
Go beyond the scoreboard
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