At this point, it's the only question worth asking: Who is going to win Saturday night's fight between middleweight lineal champion Canelo Alvarez and junior middleweight titleholder Liam Smith?
Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
Alvarez by KO7
Canelo is a far superior fighter in virtually every category. He's bigger, stronger, faster and has faced much better opposition. While I believe Smith will give his best and lay it all on the line, this is going to be all Canelo.
Nick Parkinson
ESPN UK
Alvarez by TKO11
Liam is a fully-fledged super welterweight and I expect him to last longer than his fellow Briton Amir Khan did with Canelo last May (six rounds). Don't be surprised if Smith goes the distance, but Canelo's class should produce a late stoppage.
Brian Campbell
ESPN.com
Alvarez by TKO11
Smith will be plenty game and will have his moments, forcing Alvarez to work early on. But ultimately his courage will be his undoing as Canelo's advantage in power takes over late.
Teddy Atlas
ESPN/PBC on ESPN
Alvarez TKO6
Canelo stops Smith in about 6 rounds. Smith is going from the wading pool to the ocean as far as level of opposition and he may not drown but I believe he will be sunk by body punches.
Nigel Collins
ESPN.com/PBC on ESPN
Alvarez by TKO5
Although he is currently rated No. 8 in ESPN.com's junior middleweight rankings, Smith has never beaten a legitimate contender. Moreover, with only 13 KOs in 23 pro victories, he doesn't have the punch to bother Canelo.
Wallace Matthews
ESPN.com
Alvarez by decision
This is just a stay-busy fight for Canelo as he prepares -- hopefully -- to meet Gennady Golovkin next year. Don't expect him to take too many chances, but don't expect him to blow it either.
Eric Raskin
HBO.com
Alvarez by TKO7
I'll admit: I've studied video of Smith, and he's better than I originally thought he was. But he's still not good enough to beat Canelo. I can see Smith winning an early round or two before the superior talent rises and administers enough punishment to force a stoppage.
Juan Manuel Marquez
ESPN Deportes/Golpe a Golpe
Alvarez by KO
I think Canelo will stop Smith because of his speed, power and counterattack in addition to the extra pounds that he will be carrying into the ring the night of the fight.
Jorge Eduardo Sanchez
ESPN Deportes
Alvarez by KO
Canelo faces a strong and undefeated fighter, however, Smith was chosen for a reason, his style. Smith goes forward and he likes to exchange, elements that make Alvarez look good in a fight. Canelo has power and his counterattacks are deadly. Smith is a good fighter, Canelo is better and he will feel at home in Texas.
Leopoldo Gonzalez
ESPN Deportes/Noche de Combates
Alvarez by decision
I think Smith is a strong, durable fighter, but he has had weak opposition, in addition to not having the necessary tools to beat Alvarez. It will be a competitive battle at the start but then Canelo will take over for a decision win.
Pablo Viruega
ESPN Deportes/Noche de Combates
Alvarez by KO
Canelo has power and he's more experienced than Smith, who owns a dangerous right hand. But Alvarez has shown he can take punches and should get the KO victory.
Joe Cortez
ESPN Deportes/Noche de Combates
Alvarez by KO
Canelo is a much more seasoned fighter with great defense and hits harder. He'd like to showcase himself for the first few rounds and when he feels that Smith is trying to make the fight difficult he will put the pressure on and finish Smith off by the middle rounds.
Delvin Rodriguez
ESPN Deportes/Noche de Combates
Alvarez by KO
Canelo will take five rounds to adapt to the pace of the fight and find the distance needed to hurt Smith. After that it is all over.
Salvador Rodriguez
ESPNdeportes.com
Alvarez TKO10
Smith looks like a good boxer, but he hasn't faced anybody like Alvarez. Canelo's boxing skills give him a chance to dominate Smith and score an stoppage late. No surprises if the fight goes to the cards but Canelo all the way.
Claudia Trejos
ESPNdeportes.com
Alvarez by UD
As much as this fight has been criticized because WE all expected Alvarez to face Gennady Golovkin, I am one to believe this bout at 154 pounds is quite interesting. Smith, though virtually unknown in the U.S., will face a completely different level of opposition. Though it won't be an easy task for Canelo, I see this fight as a win for him. I'm looking forward to a bout that will have the typical English heart vs the Mexican warrior mentality.
Carlos Narvaez
ESPNdeportes.com
Alvarez by decision
Alvarez and Smith will give a good show. But Canelo will impose his strength and ability to assimilate punches and become the aggressor. Can he hurt Smith? Yes. But Smith will cut off the ring and show his skills. I see Canelo winning nine rounds on his way to a unanimous decision.
Carlos Nava
ESPNdeportes.com
Alvarez by KO6
Alvarez is facing a fighter who is in his natural weight class. It seems that every time that Canelo fights in Texas in front of tens of thousands of Mexican fans he is more motivated and increases his power. He dominated Austin Trout in San Antonio in front of a full house and stopped James Kirkland in Houston, why not Smith in Dallas?