Photo credit: Esther Lin / Showtime
Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s has comfortably retained his super middleweight belts, dismantling American Jermell Charlo to win by unanimous decision in their historic bout in Las Vegas.
In an unprecedented matchup between two undisputed world champions — the first time ever in the four-belt era — Canelo always looked in control and knocked down Charlo in the seventh round.
Charlo had moved up two divisions to take on Canelo and many expected him to find it tough against Canelo, regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all-time.
So it proved, with Charlo dominating the fight from the outset, clearly outpunching his rival and landing the bigger blows.
The Mexican stalked his rival across every inch of the canvas and kept him on the outside across the 12 rounds as Charlo struggled to find any sort of rhythm.
Canelo also inflicted just the second knockdown of Charlo’s career when he landed a clean overhand right that caught the American on the temple.
Despite the pleas from his corner to ramp up the intensity and dig deep, Charlo simply couldn’t muster any offence against Canelo who continued to rip into the American’s body with a series of thumping body shots.
Even though Canelo was in the ascendancy throughout, a finish never truly presented itself and he appeared content with landing strong jabs on Charlo.
There was little Charlo could do in the end to affect the result as each and every one of his Hail Mary attempts found thin air, although he did manage to go the distance in a commendable effort.
But ultimately Canelo was the clear victor, with the judges awarding him the unanmious decision win as two scored it 118-109 while the other 119-108.
Australian Tim Tszyu was booked to fight Charlo as mandatory challenge for his super welterweight titles but Charlo instead opted to go up two divisions to took a shot at Alvarez’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts in a big-money bout in Las Vegas.
Charlo stepping in the ring with Canelo means he has been officially stripped of WBO title, with Tszyu elevated to full champ in a historic moment for the Australian.
Charlo could yet still face Tszyu, with Charlo confirmed after the Canelo fight he plans to return back down to super welterweight.
However, the American revealed he’s got a big focus on securing a pay day.
“I just follow the plans and fight whoever,” Charlo said in his post-fight press conference.
“It’s about being great and I’m already a legend in boxing. Hopefully you put me in the Hall of Fame. I don’t know who the hell controls that, but I deserve it.”
“It’s about fighting the best fights and making the most money at this point in my life and career.
“So fighting Mendoza or Ta-Zoo, who’s got an Australian fanbase, is just not as satisfying to me sometimes.
“Like I said, I listen to my coaches, follow the plans with my management and go from there.”
CANELO, CROWD ERUPTS OVER ‘PUTRID’ DECISION
The boxing world has been left in disbelief after Erickson Lubin defeated Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr via unanimous decision.
Although it was a bout largely devoid of any fireworks, Ramos Jr landed more punches and was the aggressor largely throughout the 12 rounds.
However, the crowd inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was left shocked after announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr read out the scores and declared it was Lubin who won.
The judges scored it 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 in Lubin’s favour, but it appears they and Lubin himself were the only ones who thought he was the deserved victor.
Respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael wrote: “That is as bad as I have EVER EVER seen. Putrid.”
Main Event’s Ben Damon, who is at the venue, posted: “That’s really, really, really bad scoring. Crowd here understandably losing it. Dreadful.”
Canelo Alvarez was also baffled at the call, with the camera showing his reaction upon hearing the result backstage.
STAR’S EYE SWOLLEN SHUT
Yordenis Ugas’ right eye was swollen shut in his WBC interim welterweight world title fight against Mario Barrios in a reminder of just how brutal the sport can be.
Ugas was dropped by a flash jab from Barrios in the second round of a seesawing fight.
However, Barrios continued to land his jab right on Ugas’ eye and the referee consulted the ringside doctor at the start of the 11th round to see if it was medically advisable to continue.
Ugas was dropped again via a left hook from Barrios, a punch he couldn’t have seen coming given his swollen right eye.
The Cuban superstar then tried to work the dark arts of boxing by spitting his mouthguard out twice in the final round and was eventually deducted a point, resulting in a 10-7 round for Barrios.
It was Barrios who had his hand raised in the end, prevailing in a unanimous decision victory with two judges scoring it 118-107 and the other 117-108.
FULL RESULTS
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez def Jermell Charlo via UD (118-109 x 2, 119-108) to retain IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO super middleweight world titles
Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr def by Erickson Lubin via UD (115-113, 116-112, 117-111)
Yordenis Ugas def by Mario Barrios for interim WBC welterweight title (117-108., 118-107 x 2)
Elijah Garcia def Jose Armando Resendiz via TKO in Round 8
Frank Sanchez def Scott Alexander via TKO in Round 4
Oleksandr Gvozdyk def Isaac Rodrigues via TKO in Round 2
Terrell Gausha def KeAndrae Leatherwood via MD (78-74 x 2, 76-76)
Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela def Yeis Gabriel Solano via KO
Bek Nurmaganbet def Abimbola Osundario via TKO
Abilkhan Amankul v Joeshon James ended in majority draw (38-38 x 2, 39-37 Amankul)
