"The stronger, more accurate fighter was Canelo... he got the win and he deserved the win"
Sunday 5 May 2019 17:28, UK
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez rightfully defeated Daniel Jacobs as their unification clash became a battle of wits instead of a brutal war, says Carl Froch.
The Mexican star added the IBF title to his WBC and WBA 'super' middleweight belts after a unanimous decision win over Daniel Jacobs with scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112 in Las Vegas.
Alvarez forced Jacobs onto the back foot in the early rounds, with the American staging a spirited response after the halfway point, but Sky Sports expert Froch believes Canelo had earned the verdict on all three scorecards.
"It was a slow start from Jacobs, he didn't seem to land anything at all," Froch told Sky Sports. "It was difficult. I gave him the first round. I liked what I saw, it's subjective, scoring.
"The stronger, more accurate fighter was Canelo and he got the win and he deserved the win."
Alvarez insisted he would be open to a third clash with Gennady Golovkin, who watched from ringside, while an undisputed title fight with WBO champion Demetrius Andrade is another option.
Jacobs also stays in contention for another major fight after an enthralling technical duel, with both fighters displaying composed skill rather than reckless bravery.
"Some big fights still to come and it does keep that trio of fighters alive, and there's kids coming through as well, who can compete," said Froch.
"But the reason that fight never set alight was because so few mistakes were made. Jacobs didn't really make any mistakes, he made a couple, Canelo made virtually none.
"When each fighter is over thinking or concentrating for every second of every round and doesn't make a mistake, it never really catches fire.
"We want to see punches landed, we want to see knockdowns and that wasn't one of those fights.
"It was a fight for the purists, who can appreciate the quality of what we saw tonight, what unfolded in that ring."
