“I still love boxing,” shouted Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez after a no-knockout exhibition. however, against the American Jermell Charlo, Saturday September 30, in Las Vegas and remains the undisputed super-middleweight champion.
Superior from start to finish of the fight, the 33-year-old Mexican was declared the winner unanimously by the three judges (119-108, 118-109 and 118-109). He therefore retains his four IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super-middleweight championship belts (under 76.203 kg) which were contested by Jermell Charlo, also 33 years old, undisputed super-welterweight champion (under 69.853 kg) , or two categories below.
For this fight, Jermell Charlo gained weight to reach 75.9 kg, exactly like his opponent. But he was no match for the formidable Mexican, who reassured himself after a defeat in 2022 against Russian light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol, then victories without much fanfare against the aging Kazakh Gennady Golovkin in September 2022 and the British John Ryder in May this year.
“Canelo” never flinched
“I’m still strong. This “Canelo”, no one can beat him,” Alvarez said from the ring about himself after his 60th professional victory (2 draws, 2 losses). “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. »
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 red-bearded slugger often cornered Jermell Charlo on the ropes, subjecting him to the full range of blows of the noble art.
In the 7th round, a powerful right hook forced the American to kneel on the ground to catch his breath, and sealed the outcome of the fight. Jermell 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).
“I didn’t need a knockout. to show that I am the best”, affirmed the Mexican, who has agreed 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 (25 victories, including 21 by knockout).
