Andrew Cain vs. Alejandro Jair Gonzalez - Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Andrew Cain will look to finally secure the bantamweight world title shot he has been grinding toward.

The British fighter can make that happen Saturday night when he collides with Alejandro Jair Gonzalez in a final eliminator for the WBC bantamweight world title. It all takes place at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, and live on DAZN. The fight will serve as the co-main event to the Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa headliner.

Cain (14-1, 12 KOs) enters the chief support bout riding a four-fight win streak, including his split-decision win over Charlie Edwards in March. Though the bout was scored a split decision, a considerable amount of critics and fans felt like Cain should have won by unanimous decision. He will clash with a Gonzalez (19-6-3, 11 KOs) who is relishing in a five-fight win streak, having last knocked out Juan Hernandez Navarrete in May.

Will Cain start his 2026 body of work with a convincing win to set up a title fight? Or will Gonzalez shock Cain in Liverpool? DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both fighters.

The Ring

Andrew Cain’s Keys to Victory

Jab, unleash the combinations

Andrew Cain has fluid hand speed and he ought to use that to his advantage against a measured, calculated Alejandro Jair Gonzalez. Cain can do this by asserting his jab and using the tool as a setup for some rapid-fire combinations. The more Cain is able to pepper Gonzalez with these bursts, the better his chances will be to bank rounds.

Use movement to set up shots

Cain is very much a rhythm fighter who boxes with a bounce in his step. His style is against a Gonzalez who is methodical with each step. Therefore, Cain should have the opportunity to use his footwork and movement to get into spots that improve his chances of scoring pointed blows. With the early rounds serving as intel, Cain should be able to carve out these openings as the fight progresses.

Clean counters

Gonzalez can go for big swings, especially his overhand right. If Cain anticipates and times these sequences, he will put himself in position to blast the Mexican with clean counters. Landing these could be a major key to victory and cementing a title shot next.

Alejandro Jair Gonzalez’ Keys to Victory

Throw the jab as a distraction

Watch Alejandro Jair Gonzalez last fight and you will see how beautifully he set up an unsuspecting Juan Hernandez Navarrete with a distraction jab. Gonzalez changed levels only to fire a half jab to the body, while letting go of a raucous right uppercut to the jaw for the first of several knockdowns. Throwing the jab as a distraction should be tactic utilized on Andrew Cain too. Will Cain bite on it, though? We might find out.

Use Cain’s aggression against him

If Cain is going to dictate the pace of this fight, it might actually bode well for Gonzalez’ patient, measured style. Gonzalez should look to bait Cain in and time him for a counter. Just like a counterpunch can alter the fight for Cain, it can do the same for Gonzalez if he recognizes and seizes the apt moment to unleash such a shot.

Let hands go fully

Gonzalez is a calculated fighter, but sometimes he is guilty of not letting his hands go enough. Conversely, Cain is going to drive up his volume, so Gonzalez needs to fully let his hands go too in order to prevent falling behind on points early.

Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV's included in your subscription 

Subscribe to DAZN's new Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including Barrois vs Garcia, on top of another 185 fight nights. Plus Serie A football, watch on multiple devices, and many more extra benefits.

Sign up for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here .