BOXING [HD] CANELO ALVAREZ VS ROCKY FIEL & CANELO VS FIELDING

In what feels like an abrupt return just three months removed from a slugfest against Gennady Golovkin in their all-action rematch, middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez will effectively begin the second phase of his career.

LIVE HERE: https://allhdlive.de/canelo-vs-fielding

LIVE HERE: https://allhdlive.de/canelo-vs-fielding

In his first fight with new all-sports streaming app DAZN after signing a landmark deal worth a minimum of $365 million over 11 fights, Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) will also be flashing his traditional dare-to-be-great spirit by making his debut at 168 pounds.

Alvarez, 28, will challenge WBC "regular" super middleweight titleholder Rocky Fielding in the main event of card that doubles as the Mexican star's debut at New York's Madison Square Garden (DAZN, 9 p.m. ET).

"It's a big fight. We have to see how I adapt to this weight but I feel good and I'm strong," Alvarez told CBS Sports. "I'm willing to pass this challenge because this is a challenge. I'm looking to win the title and it's a challenge that I'm going to overcome."

Despite the fact that a cut above his right eye that he suffered against Golovkin still hasn't fully healed, Alvarez will attempt to capture his third world title in as many divisions in what amount to his quickest turnaround since 2011. His opponent is the quiet, almost unassuming Fielding (27-1, 15 KOs), a native of England who is largely unknown by American fans entering his U.S. debut.

But even more than adding another title belt while testing the waters at 168 pounds, Alvarez coming back so quickly allows DAZN a high-profile chance to begin to recoup some of its money spent acquiring such a valuable free agent in the aftermath of HBO's decision to cease boxing coverage after 45 years. DAZN is reportedly in talks with GGG in hopes of booking a trilogy fight, although Alvarez said Tuesday that recent rumors are premature.

Despite the inherent pressure upon Alvarez to continue seeking big fights (and winning them) as arguably the new face of DAZN (along with unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua), Alvarez said he isn't worried about whether Saturday's return boosts subscriptions significantly.

Fielding enters with dramatic advantages in terms of height and reach. Sadly, however, that's largely where his advantages end.

Along with not being considered a big puncher for the weight class, Fielding's biggest issue opposite Alvarez will likely be hand speed and his plodding nature. Alvarez, already considered by some to be a small middleweight, should have the quickness to box circles around him while avoiding the jab and setting up counter shots.

Fielding is short on both explosiveness and experience at the highest levels, which make him a perfect opponent in many ways for Alvarez to use the fight as a flashy debut for DAZN and a long-awaited debut at such a renowned building that has hosted nearly every legend in the sport's history.

Look for Alvarez to slowly break Fielding down, particularly to the body. Eventually that will lower Fielding's guard and set Alvarez up for a late stoppage.