He has long been difficult, but in the end made his announcement true and made history. The Mexican Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez is after a knockout victory against the Russian Sergey Kovalev boxing world champion light heavyweight after version of the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
The end came after a worthwhile combination after 2:15 minutes in the eleventh round. Referee Russell Mora stopped the fight immediately when Kovalev rushed into the ropes after a hard right.
Due to the success Álvarez is the fourth Mexican who has won the world title in four weight classes. Currently holding the World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight title and holding the titles of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Council (WBC), he is also reigning world champion in three different weight classes. This has succeeded in front of him only the US American Henry Armstrong, who held in 1938 at the same time world championship belt in feather, light and welterweight.
John Locher / AP
Álvarez and his team show four fingers for world titles in four different weight classes
In the run-up talked a lot for a spectacular fight between Álvarez and Kovalev. In fact, Las Vegas viewers saw a tactical duel in which both boxers focused on defensive work. So neither "Krusher" Kovalev could play his superior impact strength, nor Álvarez attach his hard body hooks in the otherwise known frequency.
"'Canelo' will write even more history"
The smaller Álvarez was constantly in the forward gear to get close enough to his opponent. Although Kovalev retired, but was the more active boxer and used his guide to keep the Mexican at a distance. So it rarely came to intense blows and thrilling sequences. Until the eleventh round.
The decisive attack was prepared by Álvarez with a right body hook, which pushed Kovalev into the ropes. There followed a hard left on the right ear of the Russian, who staggered battered and dropped the cover. This opportunity took Álvarez to a hard and pinpoint hit right hook to the chin, the Kovalev hard knocked out.
Immediately after the crash, Álvarez indicated with a gesture that the previously restless audience may remain calm. "I ask you for patience," he said afterwards. "That's just another step, 'Canelo' will write even more history."
How is it going for Álvarez?
That the fight over long distances was not as spectacular as hoped, Álvarez had calculated by his own admission. "I knew I would need a few laps to get him right," said the Mexican. "It was a close fight because he boxed defensively very cleverly, he scored points, but in the end everything went the way I planned."
When asked who, and especially in what weight class, he would next box, Álvarez said that he would now take a break and discuss the next steps with his team. Many boxing fans want a third duel between the Mexican and the Kazakh middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. The two faced each other in 2017 and 2018. The first fight ended in a draw, the second clash won Álvarez just on points.
For the time being, Álvarez rejected a third edition. "Golovkin is not a challenge for me," he said. "We boxed 24 laps and I proved that I am the better." However, Álvarez did not want to completely rule out the completion of the trilogy. "If people still want to see the fight anyway, we can do it again."
