Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez KOs Krusher to Win Fourth Division World Title

Published

6 years ago

November 3, 2019

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Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez KOs Krusher to Win Fourth Division World Title

LAS VEGAS-If you dare to be great, sometimes you can achieve it.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez knocked out Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev in the championship rounds to snatch the WBO light heavyweight world title in eye blinking fashion on Saturday. It was his fourth division world title.

“This is just a step in my career to make history,” said Alvarez.

The Mexican redhead Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) added his name to the honored rolls of boxing history’s best by defeating Russia’s Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) before a delirious audience of more than 14,000 expecting to watch history be made or not at the MGM Grand.

Alvarez accomplished what Sugar Ray Leonard achieved more than 30 years ago. It was something Sugar Ray Robinson could not do 60 years ago.

It was also a fight set at a deliberate pace as both worked slowly with Kovalev using his long reaching jab to keep the shorter Alvarez at a safe distance. All the time the Mexican fighter moved in closer and closer with each round.

Kovalev was the busier fighter for the first two rounds. Then, Alvarez began finding the timing to deliver counter shots and work around the taller Russian fighter’s guard. Still it was a slow pace.

“The plan overall was to have patience, that it was going to take some time,” said Alvarez, 29. “He’s a great fighter. We stuck to our game plan.”

Both fighters had their moments with Kovalev using his stiff left jab effectively at moments. Other times he tried using his favorite weapon the right cross and was reminded of Alvarez’s superior counter punching skills.

“It opened up my body,” said Kovalev on why he rarely used his vaunted right cross.

Alvarez had moments when he traded blows with Kovalev and got the upper hand. But he never opened up completely as if worried about the Russian’s right hand missile.

“It was a very close fight because he was defensive. He was trying to get points and he was coming,” said Alvarez. “But everything worked out according our game plan.”

In the 11^th round Alvarez emerged from his corner with extra pep and Kovalev tried to match intensity. A right cross from Alvarez found the mark and Kovalev shook slightly. Alvarez quickly moved in and delivered a left hook that staggered Kovalev and the Mexican immediately followed with a right cross to the chin that sent the Russian crumbling into the ropes. Referee Russell Mora immediately stopped the fight at 2:15 of the 11^th round giving Alvarez the WBO light heavyweight title by knockout. He also adds a fourth division world title to his impressive resume.

Canelo became the second prizefighter of Mexican origin to win a fourth division world title and joins Tijuana’s Erik “El Terrible” Morales. He had already conquered the super welterweight, middleweight and super middleweight weight classes and was looking to separate himself from the other Mexican legends Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Julio Cesar Chavez. A win over Kovalev made him only the second Mexican to win a light heavyweight title. The late Julio Gonzalez had captured a light heavyweight title back in 2003 against Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany.

Kovalev, 36, sought to further cement his legacy in the light heavyweight division, a division dominated by others from Eastern European nations like Dimitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, and Oleksandr Gvozdyk. A win by the veteran Russian fighter would establish his name as a prominent champion who could win the big fight after losing three times in his last seven fights. One of those losses was avenged when Kovalev out-smarted Eleider Alvarez in the rematch after losing by knockout. The lanky Russian slugger showed that his ring intelligence was overlooked.

“Canelo is a really great champion,” said Kovalev graciously after the knockout loss. “Thanks for the fight. It’s ok. It’s good experience for me.”

After 10 rounds one judge had it even at 95-95 and two others saw Alvarez winning 96-94.

Alvarez eradicated any mystery with that final sizzling combination for the knockout win.

“It’s a great day for all of us in Mexico,” said Alvarez.

It’s also a great day for those who dare to be great.

Ryan Garcia KO win

It was supposed to be Ryan Garcia’s (19-0, 16 KOs) toughest foe yet. Instead, the 21-year-old from Victorville, California dispatched knockout puncher Romero Duno (21-2, 16 KOs) in the first round of their WBC Silver and NABO lightweight title fight.

It was shockingly easy for the speedy and popular Southern California fighter.

At the opening bell Duno moved in quickly to pressure the taller Garcia and immediately sneaked in an overhand right. It had no effect.

“Everybody knows he (Duno) has a good overhand right,” said Garcia. “I took it.”

After that, Garcia began unloading his own power shots especially the long right cross. It was like target practice and Duno was out of bullets. A right cross, followed by another right cross and a left hook sent the Filipino fighter down in sections. He could not get up and the fight was ruled over by referee Tony Weeks at 1:38 of the first round.

“When I took his best shot, I knew alright, I got him,” Garcia said. “Bang bang, and it’s over-temple shot.”

WBA Female Title Fight

A flyweight feud saw East L.A.’s Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada slip, slide and batter her way to victory over a gutsy Marlen Esparza to win the vacant interim WBA flyweight title by unanimous decision.

The fast moving flyweight fight got bloody during a clash of heads when both attempted to move inside and work the body. Esparza emerged from the head clash with a major gash on her forehead that looked more than two inches across. It was an ugly sight but the fight continued.

“Head butt or not, I still whipped her butt,” said Estrada who now holds the interim WBA flyweight title.

Esparza had been finding success with her right cross and seemed to be zeroing in for combinations. But Estrada started working inside and firing body shots that slowed the former Olympian.

After nine bloody rounds the referee Robert Byrd went to Esparza’s corner and asked if she could see. Esparza responded she could not and the fight was stopped and the judges gave their score cards. Estrada was deemed the winner by unanimous decision.

And what about the feud?

“No, the beef is not settled. Respect to her team, but I still don’t like her,” said East L.A.’s Estrada.

Cobbs

Las Vegas-based Blair Cobbs (13-0-1, 9 KOs) survived an early knockdown by Carlos Ortiz (11-5, 11 KOs) and figured out how to avoid the left cross in a battle of southpaws to eventually win by knockout in a welterweight clash.

Cobbs was dropped in the first round by an overhand left from Mexico’s Ortiz, but figured out how to avoid further lefts by circling to his left. Ortiz was unable to connect with another big power shot after that. Soon, Cobbs began finding the proper distance and then came a rain of body shots that opened up the firing lanes.

It was clear that Cobbs was in control and Ortiz tried to exchange but was caught with the southpaw’s enemy, a right hook, and down went the tough Mexican fighter. He got up to fight again and was met with more power shots from Cobbs. The fight was stopped at the end of the sixth round giving Cobbs the win by knockout.

Other Bouts

Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev (17-0, 13 KOs) and Spain’s Jorge Fortea (20-2-1, 6 KOs) put on a spirited 10 round fight that showcased all that boxing entrails, except for a knockout. Both could take a punch, but only Murtazaliev could give a punch and that proved the difference in winning by unanimous decision.

Evan Holyfield (1-0), the son of boxing great Evander Holyfield, needed only 16 seconds to knock out Nick Winstead (0-2) in a super middleweight first round knockout.

Bektemir Melikuziev (3-0) knocked out Cristian Olivas (16-6) in the fourth round of their light heavyweight fight.

Teen cruiserweight Tristan Kalkreuth (3-0) took some shots but out-worked Twon Smith (3-4) to win by decision after four rounds.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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David A. Avila

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Emanuel Navarrete Survives a Bloody Battle with Charly Suarez in San Diego

Published

2 hours ago

May 11, 2025

David A. Avila

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In a torrid battle Mexico’s Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete and his staccato attack staved off the herky-jerky non-stop assaults of Philippine’s Charly Suarez to win by technical decision and retain the WBO super feather world title on Saturday.

What do they feed these guys?

Navarrete (40-2-1, 32 KOs) and his elongated arms managed to connect enough to compensate against the surprising Suarez (18-1, 10 KOs) who wowed the crowd at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

An accidental clash of heads opened a cut on the side of Navarrete’s left eye and forced a stoppage midway through the fight.

From the opening round Navarrete used his windmill style of attack with punches from different angles that caught Suarez multiple times early. It did not matter. Suarez fired back with impunity and was just as hungry to punch it out with the Mexican fighter.

It was savage.

Every time Navarrete connected solidly, he seemed to pause and check out the damage. Bad idea. Suarez would immediately counter with bombs of his own and surprise the champion with his resilience and tenacity.

Wherever they found Suarez they should look for more, because the Filipino fighter from Manila was ferocious and never out of his depth.

Around the sixth round the Mexican fighter seemed a little drained and puzzled at the tireless attacks coming from Suarez. During an exchange of blows a cut opened up on Navarrete and it was ruled an accidental clash of heads by the referee. Blood streamed down the side of Navarrete’s face and it was cleared by the ringside physician.

But at the opening of the eighth round, the fight was stopped and the ringside physician ruled the cut was too bad to continue. The California State Athletic Commission looked at tape of the round when the cut opened to decipher if it was an accidental butt or a punch that caused the cut. It was unclear so the referee’s call of accidental clash of heads stood as the final ruling.

Score cards from the judges saw Navarrete the winner by scores of 78-75, 77-76 twice. He retains the WBO title.

Interim IBF Lightweight Title

The sharp-shooting Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) maneuvered past Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (20-2, 12 KOs) by unanimous decision to win the interim IBF lightweight title after 12 rounds.

Both fighters were strategic in their approach with Muratalla switching from orthodox to southpaw at various times of the fight. Neither fighter was ever able to dominant any round.

Defense proved the difference between the two lightweights. Muratalla was able to slip more blows than Abdullaev and that proved the difference. The fighter from Fontana, California was able to pierce Abdullaev’s guard more often than not, especially with counter punches.

Abdullaev was never out of the fight. The Russian fighter was able to change tactics and counter the counters midway through the fight. It proved effective especially to the body. But it was not enough to offset Muratalla’s accuracy.

There were no knockdowns and after 12 rounds the judges scored it 118-110, 119-109 twice for Muratalla who now becomes the mandatory for the IBF lightweight title should Vasyl Lomachenko return to defend it.

Muratalla was brief.

“He was a tough fighter,” said Muratalla. “My defense is something I work on a lot.”

Perla Wins

Super flyweight Perla Bazaldua (2-0) eased past Mona Ward (0-2) with a polished display of fighting at length and inside.

Combination punching and defense allowed Bazaldua to punch in-between Ward’s attacks and force the St. Louis fighter to clinch repeatedly. But Ward hung in there despite taking a lot of blows. After four rounds the Los Angeles-based Bazaldua was scored the winner 40-36 on all three cards. Bazaldua signed a long term contract with Top Rank in March.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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Late Bloomer Anthony Cacace TKOs Hometown Favorite Leigh Wood in Nottingham

Published

15 hours ago

May 10, 2025

Arne K. Lang

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Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions was at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England, tonight with a card featuring hometown favorite Leigh Wood against Ireland’s Anthony “Apache” Cacace.

Wood, a former two-time WBA featherweight champion, known for dramatic comebacks in bouts he was losing, may have reached the end of the road at age 36. He had his moments tonight, rocking Cacace on several occasions and winning the eighth round, but he paid the price, returning to his corner after round eight with swelling around both of his eyes.

In the ninth, Cacace, an 11/5 favorite, hurt Wood twice with left hands, the second of which knocked Wood into the ropes, dictating a standing 8-count by referee John Latham. When the bout resumed, Cacace went for the kill and battered Wood around the ring, forcing Wood’s trainer Ben Davison to throw in the towel. The official time was 2:15 of round nine.

Akin to Wood, Northern Ireland’s Cacace (24-1, 9 KOs) is also 36 years old and known as a late bloomer. This was his ninth straight win going back to 2017 (he missed all of 2018 and 2020). He formerly held the IBF 130-pound world title, a diadem he won with a stoppage of then-undefeated and heavily favored Joe Cordina, but that belt wasn’t at stake tonight as Cacace abandoned it rather than fulfill his less-lucrative mandatory. Wood falls to 28-4.

Semi-Wind-Up

Nottingham light heavyweight Ezra Taylor, fighting in his hometown for the first time since pro debut, delighted his fan base with a comprehensive 10-round decision over previously undefeated Troy Jones. Taylor, who improved to 12-0 (9) won by scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92.

This was Taylor’s first fight with new trainer Malik Scott, best known for his work with Deontay Wilder. The victory may have earned him a match with Commonwealth title-holder Lewis Edmondson. Jones was 12-0 heading in.

Other Bouts of Note

In his first fight as a featherweight, Liam Davies rebounded from his first defeat with a 12-round unanimous decision over Northern Ireland’s previously undefeated Kurt Walker. Davies, who improved to 17-1 (8), staved off a late rally to prevail on scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 117-111. It was the first pro loss for the 30-year-old Walker (12-1), a Tokyo Olympian.

In a mild upset, Owen Cooper, a saucy Worcestershire man, won a 10-round decision over former Josh Taylor stablemate Chris Kongo. The referee’s scorecard read 96-94.

Cooper improved to 11-1 (4). It was the third loss in 20 starts for Kongo.

A non-televised 8-rounder featured junior welterweight Sam Noakes in a stay-busy fight. A roofer by trade and the brother of British welterweight title-holder Sean Noakes, Sam improved to 17-0 (15 KOs) with a third-round stoppage of overmatched Czech import Patrik Balez (13-5-1).

Photo credit: Leigh Dawney / Queensberry

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Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: Top Rank and San Diego Smoke

Published

2 days ago

May 9, 2025

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: Top Rank and San Diego Smoke

Years ago, I worked at a newsstand in the Beverly Hills area. It was a 24-hour a day version and the people that dropped by were very colorful and unique.

One elderly woman Eva, who bordered on homeless but pridefully wore lipstick, would stop by the newsstand weekly to purchase a pack of menthol cigarettes. On one occasion, she asked if I had ever been to San Diego?

I answered “yes, many times.”

She countered “you need to watch out for San Diego Smoke.”

This Saturday, Top Rank brings its brand of prizefighting to San Diego or what could be called San Diego Smoke. Leading the fight card is Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) defending the WBO super feather title against undefeated Filipino Charly Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) at Pechanga Arena. ESPN will televise.

This is Navarrete’s fourth defense of the super feather title.

The last time Navarrete stepped in the boxing ring he needed six rounds to dismantle the very capable Oscar Valdez in their rematch. One thing about Mexico City’s Navarrete is he always brings “the smoke.”

Also, on the same card is Fontana, California’s Raymond Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs) vying for the interim IBF lightweight title against Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (20-1, 12 KOs) on the co-main event.

Abdullaev has only fought once before in the USA and was handily defeated by Devin Haney back in 2019. But that was six years ago and since then he has knocked off various contenders.

Muratalla is a slick fighting lightweight who trains at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy now in Moreno Valley, Calif. It’s a virtual boot camp with many of the top fighters on the West Coast available to spar on a daily basis. If you need someone bigger or smaller, stronger or faster someone can match those needs.

When you have that kind of preparation available, it’s tough to beat. Still, you have to fight the fight. You never know what can happen inside the prize ring.

Another fighter to watch is Perla Bazaldua, 19, a young and very talented female fighter out of the Los Angeles area. She is trained by Manny Robles who is building a small army of top female fighters.

Bazaldua (1-0, 1 KO) meets Mona Ward (0-1) in a super flyweight match on the preliminary portion of the Top Rank card. Top Rank does not sign many female fighters so you know that they believe in her talent.

Others on the Top Rank card in San Diego include Giovani Santillan, Andres Cortes, Albert Gonzalez, Sebastian Gonzalez and others.

They all will bring a lot of smoke to San Diego.

Probox TV

A strong card led by Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs) facing Ardreal Holmes Jr. (17-0, 6 KOs) in a super welterweight clash between southpaws takes place on Saturday at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. PROBOX TV will stream the fight card.

Ardreal has rocketed up the standings and now faces veteran Lubin whose only losses came against world titlists Sebastian Fundora and Jermell Charlo. It’s a great match to decide who deserves a world title fight next.

Another juicy match pits Argentina’s Nazarena Romero (14-0-2) against Mexico’s Mayelli Flores (12-1-1) in a female super bantamweight contest.

Nottingham, England

Anthony Cacace (23-1, 8 KOs) defends the IBO super featherweight title against Leigh Wood (28-3, 17 KOs) in Wood’s hometown on Saturday at Nottingham Arena in Nottingham, England. DAZN will stream the Queensberry Promotions card.

Ireland’s Cacace seems to have the odds against him. But he is no stranger to dancing in the enemy’s lair or on foreign territory. He formerly defeated Josh Warrington in London and Joe Cordina in Riyadh in IBO title defenses.

Lampley at Wild Card

Boxing telecaster Jim Lampley will be signing his new book It Happened! at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Hollywood, Calif. on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 2 p.m. Lampley has been a large part of many of the greatest boxing events in the past 40 years. He and Freddie Roach will be at the signing.

Fights to Watch (All times Pacific Time)

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Anthony Cacace (23-1) vs Leigh Wood (28-3).

Sat. PROBOX.tv 3 p.m. Erickson Lubin (26-2) vs Ardreal Holmes Jr. (17-0).

Sat. ESPN 7 p.m. Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1) vs Charly Suarez (18-0); Raymond Muratalla (22-0) vs Zaur Abdullaev (20-1).

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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