Canelo joins with the right hand which hurts Smith. He follows him with the other right hand on Smith’s body. V leverage continues to close the gap and descend one or two combinations. Smith’s face is beginning to mark. Smith is missing a lot more than he’s connecting. He manages to connect with the looping upcut, but v Leverage responds after a big moment. If Smith has a back-up plan, now may be the time to consider it.
Guardian’s unofficial score: v Lvarez 10-9 Smith (v Lvarez 40-36 Smith)
04:53
Round 3
Canello raises the steps on the gas from the llnt, throws the left hook with bad intentions to open the round and from there increases the pressure. V Leverage is closing the gap quickly and Smith is spending a lot of time with the ropes. V Leverage is throwing Liverpoodlian out and out. The easiest round to score so far.
Guardian’s Unofficial Score: v Lvarez 10-9 Smith (v Lvarez 30-27 Smith)
04:50
Round 2
V levers continue to apply pressure, moving forward and closing the gap at all times. He is firing the same bun and putting a left hook behind him. Smith continued to blink to slow V Leverage’s approach. V Leverage only misses on the same overhand that flattens Kovalev. Smith would do well to be aware of that punch. Smith unloaded the left hook of time well, but V Leverage is doing a little more.
Guardian’s Unofficial Score: v Lvarez 10-9 Smith (v Lvarez 20-18 Smith)
04:45
Round 1
The two men were fighting at a measured pace in the opening minutes. Smith’s advantages of 7in in height and 7½in in reach seem to impose more under the lights than yesterday’s weight. Smith claws with Jab but as Canelo moves forward, gaining confidence with his well-run Jab as the round progresses. Canello’s upper-body movement gives Smith a bit of trouble. The Mexicans have done enough to win as much as one spirit out round for everyone.
Guardian’s unofficial score: v Lvarez 10-9 Smith (v Lvarez 10-9 Smith)
04:36
A virtual Michael Buffer fighter has taken a jumbotron to manage the introduction. Champion Callum Smith, in violation of boxing protocol, makes his way through the first tunnel. As he rings the ring, the Canelo Hype video, described by Matthew McConaughey, plays on the big screen. And now here’s V Leverage, Mexico’s Lindo y Curido, entering the field for a live performance of his signature walkout song. We should walk in a moment and take it from here with round-by-round updates.
Song time in Almodom. God Save Queen, then Himno Nacional Mexico and Star-Spangled Banner. Alperez and Smith speed up their dressing room in an attempt to stay as loose as expected. No more time now.
The star-spangled banner is carried before Saturday’s fight in San Antonio. Photograph: Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
Update
03:59
In the final opening bout, Marc Castro started his professional career with a third-round knockout of Luis Valdes. The two-time amateur world champion from Fresno floated Valdes twice and closed the show at 1:59 a.m. of the third round.
Greetings and welcome to San Antonio for tonight’s Super Middleweight Show Down between Saul Canello v Leveris and Culum Smith. The unbeaten Liverpoodlian is putting his WBA “Super” title at 168lbs in front of the line, with the red-headed Mexican and three-time champion widely considered to be Xing’s biggest stars. Empty WBC straps are also at stake in the integration turn, with the division’s two best.
The final undercard bout tonight is set to begin with two-time amateur world champion Mark Castro, including his highly anticipated pro in the four-round junior lightweight bout against Luis Valdes. Alvarez and Smith are expected to make their ringwalks soon.
