Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) and Canelo Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 KOs) have shown mutual respect to one another throughout the promotion of their upcoming middleweight championship bout. Apparently, that went out the window Friday afternoon after the two clashed heads during their weigh in at the T-Mobile Arena, which was open to the public.
The crowd, consisting of fight fans mainly for the Mexican, Canelo, showed their lack of gratitude to the “Miracle Man” as they booed Jacobs on the scale. The uproar of applause and cheering grew as Canelo hit the scale. Jacobs weighed in at 160 lbs., and Canelo weighed in at 159.5 lbs.
Moments after the two world champions were separated from the heated face off, their emotions extended into the post interviews.
“This is an opportunity of a life time. I feel like I’m the best middleweight in the world, and that m***** f***** right there, he gonna get it tomorrow,” said Jacobs.
After expressing strongly in Spanish what he felt about the encounter, Canelo said through an interpreter, “This is a challenge we have tomorrow, but I’m ready for it, and we’re gonna win tomorrow.”
This Cinco de Mayo weekend, Canelo and Jacobs will meet in the ring to prove who truly reigns in the middleweight division. Canelo’s WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine titles, plus Jacob’s IBF Middleweight title are all on the line come Saturday night.
The co-main event features top prospect, Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (12-0, 12 KOs) of Dallas, TX and veteran, Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (24-8, 7 KOs) of Riverside, CA. Ortiz tipped the scale at 147 lbs. and Herrera at 146.5 lbs. South El Monte’s very own, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (28-1, 14 KOs) moves up in weight against the Nicaraguan, Freddy Fonseca (26-2-1, 17 KOs) in a 12-round Super Featherweight bout for the vacant WBA Gold title. “Jojo” weighed in at 129.5 lbs, and Fonseca weighed in at 130 lbs.
“I feel tremendous at this weight,” said Diaz, Jr. “I was having difficulty making 126, but we had a tremendous training camp out in Indio and I’m very focused, very determined. I’m eating a lot healthier and I’m not depleting my muscles anymore. 130 is the weight. I’m gonna go out there and perform at my best and look spectacular tomorrow.”
It is a stacked undercard of championship titles. The undefeated, Lamont Roach, Jr. (18-0-1, 7 KOs) weighed in at 129.5 lbs., and Jonathan Qquendo 30-5, 19 KOs) weighed in at 130 lbs. The two will meet in a 10-round bout for the WBO International and NABO Super Featherweight title. Brooklyn’s Sadam Ali (27-2, 14 KOs) returns to the ring in a 10-round Welterweight bout against New Jersey’s Anthony Young (20-2, 7 KOs) for the vacant USNBC Silver title. Ali weighed in at 147 lbs., and Young weighed in at 146 lbs.
London’s John Ryder (27-4, 15 KOs) will take on Bilal Akkawy (20-0-1, 16 KOs) of Australia, in a 12-round Super Middleweight bout for the vacant Interim WBA title. They both weighed in at 167.5 lbs. The undefeated prospect, Francisco Esparza (9-0-1, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas, and Aram Avagyan (8-0-1, 4 KOs) of Moscow, Russia, will meet in a 10-round bout for the WBC International Silver Featherweight title. Esparza weighed in at 126 lbs, and Avagyan weighed in at 125.5 lbs.
Canelo vs. Jacobs is presented by Golden Boy, in association with Matchroom Boxing. Ortiz vs. Hererra is presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4th, 2019 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN. Be sure to download your DAZN app today!
