Daniel Jacobs: ‘I’m ready to go’ against Canelo on May 4

Canelo Alvarez is moving up to super middleweight to challenge Rocky Fielding this Saturday at Madison Square Garden, but it’s no secret that Golden Boy Promotions already has a hold on a May 4, 2019 date in Las Vegas for Canelo’s next fight, which will likely be a return to middleweight for a bigger fight.

One fighter who wants a shot at Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KO) on that date is IBF middleweight titleholder Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 KO), who feels they make for the biggest fight in the division now.

“I’ll be there front and center on Saturday night — it’s no secret that my focus is on Canelo,” said Jacobs. “There is no other fight in boxing I want right now more than him.

“I did what I had to do and beat (Sergiy) Derevyanchenko, a guy nobody wanted to fight and claimed a piece of the middleweight crown. Now it’s time to unify. I believe that I am the best middleweight in the world, and he thinks he is, so let’s put it all on the line.

“This is not only the absolute biggest fight to be made in the division, but one of the biggest in all of boxing. As long as he takes care of business on Saturday night I’m ready to go. Let’s give the fans and the sport of boxing what they want and let’s get this done for May 4.”

Jacobs is one of what would seem to be four notable potential opponents if Alvarez does indeed return to 160 pounds on May 4 at T-Mobile Arena.

Another is David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KO), a longtime contender and former titleholder who is promoted, like Alvarez, by Golden Boy. Lemieux fights Tureano Johnson on the Canelo-Rocky undercard on Saturday.

Another is Demetrius Andrade (26-0, 16 KO), the WBO titleholder who, like Canelo, is with DAZN. Andrade was arrested last week on a gun charge.

And then, of course, there’s a potential third showdown with Gennady Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KO), which is probably still the biggest money fight for Alvarez. But Golovkin would almost surely have to sign a deal with DAZN to land that fight, and right now he hasn’t publicly made up his mind on what broadcast outlet to work with going forward.

Then there’s also the chance that Alvarez doesn’t fight any of these guys, but my guess would be that if he beats Fielding on Saturday as expected and goes back down to 160, it’ll be one of those four.

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