Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 56-1-2 (38) has cleared the path for an enticing four-belt unification bout after turning back the challenge of Billy Joe Saunders 30-1 (14) in eight frames in front of a 73,126 strong crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday night.
Super middleweight Alvarez, 30, boxed a patient fight, stalking the slick southpaw Saunders from the opening bell before landing a crunching right uppercut that immediately cause swelling around the 31-year-old Brit’s right eye.
The injury was so severe that Saunders’ trainer Mark Tibbs withdrew his fighter from the contest between rounds.
Alvarez added Saunders’ WBO belt to his WBC and WBA titles with the win. He was leading 77-75, 78-74 and 78-74 on the judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
“I knew the fight was going to develop around the eighth round,” said Alvarez, whose lone defeat came against Floyd Mayweather in 2013. “It wasn’t as difficult as I expected. I know my preparation is good and I improve day-by-day.
“I was winning round-by-round. I knew this would be final outcome. I knew it. I think I broke his cheek and knew he wasn’t coming out of the corner.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn praised Tibbs for looking after his charge.
“He couldn’t see,” Hearn said. “I spoke with Mark Tibbs and he wouldn’t let him go out. I thought he boxed beautifully. Canelo took his time, Billy is so tricky, but Canelo busted him up.”
The victory means Alvarez will likely face IBF 168-pound champion Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant 21-0 (12) next later this year.
“It’s the only fight to make. Ultimately Canelo will fight absolutely anybody and Caleb Plant is the fight for the undisputed championship,” Hearn said.
“You know who he wants to fight, he told me who he wants to fight, Caleb Plant. It’s all up to Caleb Plant. It has to happen.”
Alvarez had a simple message for the 28-year-old Plant.
“I’m coming, my friend,” he said.
Perhaps the highest praise for Alvarez came from arguably Mexico’s greatest boxer, Julio Cesar Chavez, who interviewed the champion on Box Azteca after the fight.
“Let me say first that you’re the greatest, you’re the inspiration I looked up to when I was a little boy. I used to watch tapes of your fights to learn from you,” Alvarez told Chavez.
“I will never try to say I’m better than you because I look up to you. I just want to make my own history, my own path.”
“You’re the best. I don’t understand how people would have said bad things about you when there are more than 73,000 people in this arena. You’re an idol and you deserve it,” said Chavez.
“People always make comparisons but that’s just hate or envy. I’m proud of what you’ve done and I feel very proud of you.”
