Canelo Alvarez was supposed to be fading, and fight number 64 was to be the verification. Injuries, declining performances, and a shock defeat, boxing had all the proof it needed.

Whilst Las Vegas plays host to boxing royalty, Britain hopes to crown one of its own on a weekend of physically intriguing match-ups.

The Ring Magazine Cruiserweight title will be contested on UK shores for the first time in over 15 years this weekend as Australian Jai Opetaia makes the first defence of his IBF world title against the hard-hitting Mancunian Jordan Thompson.