“I still love boxing”, shouted Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez after a demonstration, without a knockout. however, against the American Jermell Charlo, Saturday September 30, in Las Vegas and remains the undisputed champion in the super-middleweight category.
Superior from the start to the end of the fight, the Mexican, 33, 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 was reassured after his defeat, in 2022, against the 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.
“Canelo” never flinched
“I’m still strong. This “Canelo”, no one can beat him”Alvarez said from the ring about himself after his 60e victory among professionals (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. »
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, no longer 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.
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. 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 arranged to meet on May 5, 2024 for a next fight against ” anybody “.
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).