(Los Angeles) “I still love boxing,” shouted Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez after a demonstration, without a knockout. however, against the American Jermell Charlo on Saturday in Las Vegas to remain the undisputed super-middleweight champion.
Superior from the start to the end of the fight, the Mexican was unanimously declared the winner by the three judges (119-108, 118-109 and 118-109) to retain his four IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO championship belts. super-middleweight (less than 76.203 kg) challenged by Charlo (33 years old), undisputed super-middleweight champion (less than 69.853 kg), two categories apart.
PHOTO JOHN LOCHER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
For this fight, Charlo had gained mass to reach 75.9 kg, exactly like Alvarez, but was no match for the formidable Mexican, who was reassured after a defeat in 2022 against the Russian light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol, then lackluster victories against the aging Kazakh Gennady Golovkin and the Briton John Ryder, in May this year.
“I’m still strong. This “Canelo”, no one can beat him,” Alvarez said from the ring about himself after his 60e professional victory (2 draws, 2 defeats).
We worked hard for three months, without my family. I still love boxing. Damn, I love boxing. Boxing is my life, it made me the person I am today.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
From the start of the fight, in a T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas won over to his cause, the Mexican, 5 cm shorter (1.75 m compared to 1.80 m) took the center of the ring and never let go. , and worked the American to the body with powerful hooks, constantly moving forward.
The stocky slugger with the red beard often cornered Charlo on the ropes, subjecting him to the full range of blows of the noble art.
At the 7e restart, a powerful right hook forced the American to kneel on the ground to catch his breath, and sealed the outcome of the fight.
PHOTO JOHN LOCHER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jermell Charlo
Charlo did well in a few sequences, but “Canelo” never flinched, his chin strong, and inflicted a second professional defeat on the Texan (35 wins, 1 draw) who will return to his category.
“I didn’t need a knockout. to show that I am the best,” taunted the Mexican, who has arranged to meet on May 5, 2024 for a next fight against “anyone.”
Several super-middleweight boxers dream of being able to tackle this legend of the noble art, notably the Frenchman Christian Mbilli, undefeated and making full progress in the world hierarchy.