Speed is the key for Jacobs

When Brooklyn’s Daniel Jacobs steps into the ring facing Canelo Alvarez, the hardpunching WBA/WBC middleweight champ, he can win if he uses his speed — not so much his power.

Here are four steps Jacobs must adhere to if he is to add Canelo’s belts to his own IBF strap.

1. DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE CINCO DE MAYO HYPE.

Alvarez has fought many times around the May 5 date, which signifies Mexico’s defeat over French forces at the 1862 Battle of Puebla. The fight in Las Vegas will definitely be an away “game” for Jacobs with rabid fans supporting their man. Jacobs’ last four fights were in the friendly confines of New York: two at Madison Square Garden, one at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, and one at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. And he won four New York Daily News Golden Gloves championships in MSG. Don’t try to out-Mexican the Mexican. Stick to your game plan.

2. DON’T SLUG WITH A SLUGGER.

Jacobs is a good puncher with 29 kayos in 35 victories.

Canelo has 34 in 51 wins. Don’t let the numbers deceive you. Jacobs has more knockouts in fewer fights, but Canelo is still the more dangerous of the two. Use your jab and footwork to out maneuver him, out think him. Sting him from the outside, but do

not go toe-to-toe. That’s suicide.

3. USE YOUR FOOTWORK.

Canelo is not the swiftest man on his feet and Jacobs moves more fluidly. Jacobs doesn’t have to be a Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly in the ring, but a little in-and-out movement is a good thing. Use that to your advantage.

Follow the game-plan and Jacobs can win a hard-fought 12-round decision over the pride of Mexico and bring the belts back to Brooklyn.