Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 57-1-2 (39) reaffirmed his position as one of the best in the game with an 11th round knockout of previously undefeated Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant 21-1 (12).
The 31-year-old WBC, WBA and WBO super middleweight champion added the IBF belt to his collection when he dropped Nashville’s Plant twice in the penultimate round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada to earn the victory at the 1:05 mark when referee Russell Mora stepped in to halt the contest.
Plant, 29, was effective early, using his educated jab and movement to keep Alvarez at bay. But as the rounds progressed, the unified champion systematically broke down his opponent to stop him late.
Plant did better than expected in the fight, not only lasting rounds but being competitive in many of them.
Alvarez however showed his class to come on late and overcome a stern and tricky opponent. A left hook, right hand, left uppercut combination caught Plant near the ropes and sent him down early in the 11th. Although he beat the count, he was reeling around the ring and with more than two minutes left to go in the frame, it seemed the writing was on the wall.
Alvarez didn’t let him off the hook.
A second knockdown quickly followed and the fight was halted for Plant’s safety.
With the victory Alvarez became the first ever undisputed world champion at 168-pounds.
The patience and timing of Alvarez was once again on show as he dug to the body repeatedly and finished up with hooks upstairs.
At the time of the stoppage Alavarez was leading on all three judges’ scorecard 98-92, 96-94 and 97-93.
Current and former world champions were quick to through their support behind Alvarez, who donned a crown following his historic victory.
Manny Pacquiao posted to Twitter: “Congralutlations to the pound for pound king, @canelo, on making boxing history as the first undisputed super middleweight champion ever, Plant put up a great fight but Canelo is just too good. Boxing is in great hands.”
Undisputed junior welterweight champion Jash Taylor said: “Canelo was excellent tonight. Welcome to the club. #UNDISPUTED” before adding “I don’t know what people were watching back home going by some of the tweets, but at ringside that was a methodical beat down from Canelo. I gave Plant 2-3 rounds tops, he was being pushed around the ring far too easily.”
Devin Haney was equally effusive in his praise, saying: “Canelo is the best mf fighter in the world! Period.”
Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia said: “Congrats to Canelo he closed the show like a true champ. Respect to Plant.”
Sergio Mora tweeted: “Credit to CP he followed a gameplan and BOXED a helluva fight, but once that first clean punch landed by Canelo he didn’t know how to react & his legs betrayed him.”
