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Hard hits: Álvarez hardly gave Saunders a chance
Photo:
Jeffrey McWhorter / AP
Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez remains the measure of all things in international boxing. The Mexican defeated WBC and WBA world champions in super middleweight, defeated WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders by giving up after the eighth round and now holds three of the four most important world championship belts in the weight class up to 76.204 kilograms. 73,126 spectators cheered "Canelos" victory at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where the Dallas Cowboys footballers usually play their home games. It was the largest live event in the United States since the pandemic began, and it also set a new audience record for indoor boxing events in the United States. Since the corona restrictions in Texas have been lifted since the beginning of March, neither distance rules nor mask requirements apply.
“It's hard to describe what I'm feeling right now,” Álvarez said in an interview right after the fight.
“This is a very emotional moment for me.
We had to do without fans for so long.
Thank you all for your support. ”The subsequent“ Viva Mexico! ”Was drowned out in the frenetic cheers of the fans.
It is the weekend of the »Cinco de Mayo«, one of the most important Mexican holidays.
The mood among "Canelos" supporters was correspondingly exuberant after the national hero celebrated his 56th victory in the 59th professional fight.
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Armadillo Álvarez: World champion according to the version of the WBA, WBC and WBO
Photo: Jeffrey McWhorter / AP
The 30-year-old secured his success with his usual, serene performance.
Underdog Saunders started well, was in motion on the first lap and managed to keep Álvarez at a distance with his long leading hand.
But it wasn't long before "Canelo" found ways to get closer to his opponent and throw him off balance with hard hooks.
Cat and mouse game
The Mexican proceeded very methodically.
One of his greatest qualities is that he only hits when he is convinced that he will also hit.
Álvarez finted a lot, hinted at attacks, let Saunders hit the ground on the counterattack and then landed his goals.
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Saunders was so impressed by the hard hands that he mostly moved backwards from the third lap onwards.
From the reverse gear, the Briton repeatedly hit individual blows.
But actually by then the fight had already become a game of cat and mouse for Álvarez.
He drove his opponent before him, always looking for the crucial gap.
In the fourth round, Saunders dived exactly into an uppercut of the Mexican during a avoidance move.
Many other boxers would probably have gone down after this blow.
Saunders almost lost his mouthguard, but stayed on his feet and not only bit off the hit, it even seemed to motivate him.
The decisive hit
The following lap belonged to the Briton again, who brought his right leading hand cleanly to the finish a few times.
Saunders took advantage of its economies of scale and legal exposure during this phase.
He pushed his right foot far forward, leaned his torso back, and only flicked forward to hit.
Álvarez took a short break and let his opponent have their way - knowing that the jabs alone would not pose any major problems for him.
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Cheers in the ring: "Canelo" immediately noticed that he had injured his opponent
Photo: Jeffrey McWhorter / AP
Saunders became more self-confident, held his upper body in constant pendulum movements and dropped his fists provocatively low to lure Álvarez.
His good friend Tyson Fury, who watched the fight from the front row, may have recognized himself in some of the movements.
In the eighth lap, "Canelo" took command again and landed clear hands on the body and head.
With a right uppercut he hit Saunders so hard that his right eye immediately swelled almost completely.
Álvarez noticed immediately how much damage he had done, followed up and used short breaks in his attack series to play and celebrate with the audience.
In the break after the round, the British corner ended the fight after consulting the ring doctor.
Álvarez was declared the winner by technical knockout.
Next stop: unification of all World Cup belts
While Saunders was driven to the hospital immediately afterwards, Álvarez enjoyed the exuberant atmosphere and made selfies with his fans on the way out of the ring, none of whom wore a mask.
Everyone in attendance pretended that the global pandemic was taking a break for that one evening.
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Àlvarez celebrates with his fans: As if the pandemic were taking a break
Photo: Jeffrey McWhorter / AP
If he stays healthy, "Canelos" seems to have decided the next fight.
After all, the Mexican only needs a belt to be recognized as the undisputed world champion in the super middleweight division.
The American Caleb Plant holds the world title according to the version of the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
"Of course our goal is to make this fight," confirmed promoter Eddie Hearn. "It's the only fight that makes sense for" Canelo "at the moment." September 18, the weekend of Mexican Independence Day, is being discussed as the date. It should be the next big Álvarez party.
