Boxing
Andrew Cain vs. Alejandro Jair Gonzalez: Who has the edge heading into their fight?
Ball vs. Figueroa: Subscribe to watch - Saturday
Andrew Cain has been steadily building his fight profile toward a crack at a world championship.
He can cement that shot Saturday night when he clashes with Alejandro Jair Gonzalez in a final eliminator for the WBC bantamweight world title at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, and live on DAZN. The bout will serve as chief support to Nick Ball putting his WBA featherweight world championship on the line against Brandon Figueroa.
Cain (14-1, 12 KOs) has erected a four-fight win streak since losing to Ionut Baluta in March 2023. That streak includes his split-decision victory over Charlie Edwards last March. Cain will meet a tough Gonzalez (19-6-3, 11 KOs) who is enjoying a five-fight win streak, having last stopped Juan Hernandez Navarrete in May.
Will Cain produce yet another convincing victory to earn the shot at becoming a world champion? Or will Gonzalez snatch the opportunity for himself by upsetting the British fighter? DAZN News examines who has the edge heading into the fight.
The RingBoxing Styles
Andrew Cain is very much a rhythm fighter, who enjoys staying light on his feet with a bounce in his step. He also tends to change levels effectively, while searching for just the right time and avenues to piece combinations together with quick hands.
That pressuring, sweet science will be up against the patient, marksman style that Alejandro Jair Gonzalez produces in the ring. The Mexican fighter assesses his opponents well, while choosing opportune moments to unload crisp potshots.
Both Cain and Gonzalez sometimes show a lapse in their guard, making this category an interesting one. That said, Cain gets the nod here.
Edge: Cain
Power
Cain touts a knockout ratio of about 86 percent to Gonzalez’ clip of roughly 58 percent. But watching footage on Gonzalez proves he sets up his power shots with some boxing slickness and even flair.
Take his win over Juan Hernandez Navarrete for instance and one will note how Gonzalez threw a half jab, purposely not connecting with the shot to be that much quicker to unload a pulverizing uppercut on the jaw for a knockdown. When Navarrete made it to his feet, Gonzalez made him taste the canvas again — this time with a left hook. An overhand right dropped Navarrete for a third time and the bout was stopped right there.
All this to say, Gonzalez has some power. The push here comes down to speed where Cain flashes the quicker hands that still land with oomph. It's enough oomph to give him the advantage here as well.
Edge: Cain
Mental Warfare
Cain was asked about falling victim to an upset in his home of Liverpool. To that scenario, Cain acknowledged during the press conference that Gonzalez made the trip to fight, but vowed that the Mexican will be outboxed and defeated soundly.
Cain said the words with steely determination — the kind of locked-in focus of a fighter who knows he is on the brink of a lifetime opportunity.
Edge: Cain
Who has the edge in Cain vs. Gonzalez?
DAZN News has the edge going to Cain, 3-0, but would not be surprised at all if this bout is a hard-fought battle. Still, Cain is knocking on the door of a world title shot and Saturday night could see him opening it.
