The hype was justified. Saul “Canelo” Álvarez has been trumpeted all this week as the most dangerous man in boxing. Mr Box Office himself.
As the last of a succession of fearsome bodyshots rocketed into Liam Smith, the brave but ultimately beaten WBO light middleweight champion, a bumper crowd of over 51,000 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys saw what they came for.
The stats showed Álvarez connected with 113 of 220 power punches while only 68 earned his opponent any success. The marks on Smith’s body and the blood cascading down his face from a cut, however, told its own, sorry story.
“Liam Smith was a resilient fighter, he has tough, has a lot of heart,” admitted Álvarez. “He thinks before he attacks, I could tell in the way he blocked in the way he approached me. I was actually only using my left hand for the most part, making sure my left hand was connecting with power.
“I hurt my right hand in the second round when I hit him in the head. The body shot, was what I focused on, making sure I worked his body down, and that is what secured the victory today.”
The roars of approval were still lingering in the air when Gennady Golovkin, the recognised champion at middleweight, was mentioned afterward. When that bout happens, if it happens, it will be quite something.
‘The best fighter’
“I fear no one, I am the best fighter right now,” said Álvarez. “We offered Golovkin the money to fight twice. He didn’t accept.”
True or not, Canelo’s class cannot be doubted. This was Smith’s third defence of the title he won against John Thompson in October 2015. Jimmy Kelly from Manchester was stopped two months later before a crunching second knockout took care of Pedrag Radosevic earlier this year.
Taking on Álvarez, however, was a totally different proposition, a huge step up in class. The Mexican has stood toe-to-toe with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley. Canelo has world class experience. Smith didn't – but he certainly does now.
“If I would have waited a little longer and gotten more experience I would have been able to fight a guy like that better,” said Smith, who suffered his first defeat in 24 paying fights. “I am very disappointed. I needed better timing, my timing was off tonight.”
Relentless with shots to the body and uppercuts, Álvarez stalked Smith though the champion deserved credit. Canelo, and the Mexican hordes, knew they were in for a battle.
The Englishman was brave, he just could not match the power which was coming his way with alacrity and brute force. When Canelo struck again with a left hook to Smith’s body in the ninth round, there was nothing more to add. Guardian Service
