Canelo Álvarez, the reigning super middleweight champ, didn’t just hold onto his titles, he made a solid statement. Jermell Charlo took a tumble, and the scorecards read: 119-109 and 118-109…twice!
“Every fighter, every time, feels the force of my strength,” a triumphant Álvarez exclaimed. “I’m the indestructible man. No one’s putting this Álvarez down.”
Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) was a spectacle of brilliance and power, leaving Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), the ace of junior middleweight, finding answers to the relentless questions thrown by Canelo’s fists. Charlo, taking a bold step, jumped two weight classes with dreams of dual division dominance, but Álvarez’s unyielding resilience was the wall he couldn’t break.
“I wasn’t myself,” confessed Charlo. “I don’t play the blame game; it’s the spirit of the sport. You take your licks and move forward. That’s boxing for you; some days you’re the champ, some days you learn.”
Charlo started feeling the heat from the initial rounds, with Canelo’s signature power creating havoc and diverting his attention majorly to defending himself. A looping right in the seventh round left Charlo dazed, forcing him to take a knee.
“The added weight was certainly noticeable,” Charlo reflected. “I was carrying an extra 14 pounds. I hold my ground in my division. We all stumble at times, but the journey is far from over. I held my own, and I’m proud. I’m the younger Charlo, and I embrace it.”
The seventh round was a testament to Charlo’s fighting intelligence, landing some sharp ones and managing to see the round through. However, his revived spirit couldn’t overshadow the impeccable attack and defense strategy of Álvarez. Canelo’s superiority was evident in every punch thrown and every move made, marking a substantial lead in total punches and resonating in unanimous scorecards.
“Three months of relentless body attack drills,” Álvarez shared. “Understanding his moves and studying his style was crucial. It was a hard training session in the mountains, distanced from the usual.”
As the final rounds unfolded, Álvarez sailed smoothly to the last bell, bathed in the chants and cheers of his fans. Post-celebration, he signalled his willingness to meet any challenger next.
“My heart still beats for boxing,” Álvarez pronounced. “It’s my essence. It has moulded me into who I am. And my fans, they amplify this love… I’m up for any challenger this Cinco de Mayo. I’m all in.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku8W23zI32A&pp=ygUPc2hvd3RpbWUgYm94aW5n