Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez left Sergey Kovalev collapsed against the ropes after a devastating right hand to claim the WBO light-heavyweight title.
Canelo stunned the Russian champion with a left-hook and his killer instincts set up a right hand rocking the chin of Kovalev, leaving the 36-year-old knocked out.
The 29-year-old joins legendary Mexican’s Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Jorge Arce on the list of four-weight world champions. After winning his eighth career title, Canelo said: “I provide history and guarantees. The plan overall was to be patient. I’m good at waiting. All credit to him. He’s a great fighter. We have to see for 2020. We have to see what’s best for us. Golovkin is not a challenge for me. If it’s business, than why not?”
It was a positive start for long-reigning light-heavyweight ruler Kovalev, as 175lb newbie Canelo eased his way into the first round. In the second Alvarez just grazed the chin of the champion, and made the Russian miss and returned fire with educated counters to the body. Kovalev was consistent with his jab and pumped out a right hand but nothing troubling the challenger.
In rounds three and four Canelo was tempting the champion to throw, and when he did, the Mexican would make a deft lean back, and fire in a precise counter making the WBO titleist look one step off the mark. But Alvarez was left outworked at times, as Kovalev stuck his jab out and let his hands go, despite hitting the gloves of the challenger, who was comfortable in defence.
In the middle rounds again Canelo’s best work came on the counter, ducking under some speculative swings from his opponent, returning fire with heavy body work. As Alvarez walked forward, Kovalev used his weight well, but left himself little room to get any meat on his shots. In round eight the champion landed a big left hook, starting to outpunch the speedy challenger – who was not as active with his counter-punching. Round nine began with a solid Kovalev combination down the middle, hammering Canelo’s jaw. But as the challenger looked to be losing the round, he landed a massive right hook and made the champion miss with a wild attempt, returning fire with an excellent counter.
With it all to play for with two rounds remaining, Alvarez made a fast start in the 11th. A counter left hook followed by a sharp right snapped Kovalev’s head back, before the challenger sunk in a heavy hook to the Russian’s ribcage. Not willing to let his momentum slip, or give Kovalev any room to breathe, Canelo kept the pressure up. A quick combination sent Krusher reeling back, and Alvarez could smell the finish. Canelo whipped in a left hook leaving Kovalev defenceless with his hands down, and the follow up right hand closed the show. Alvarez left his man beaten and battered against the ropes, and backed up his argument to being the world’s best boxer ahead of Vasiliy Lomachenko and Terence Crawford. Canelo actively holds belts at middleweight, super-middle and now light-heavy, and walked away with £27million for his round 11 finish.
Photo Credit: Getty
