Canelo Embosses His Legacy; Stops Caleb Plant in Round 11

LAS VEGAS-Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez powered through IBF champion Caleb Plant after unraveling the fleet fighter’s layers of defense to become the first ever four-belt super middleweight world champion by knockout on Saturday.

“This means so much for the history of Mexico to become an undisputed champion,” Alvarez said.

More than 16,000 mostly Mexican fans roared in window shattering levels.

Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) proved to the boxing world and Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) that no other super middleweight should be called a world champion. The Mexican redhead now holds the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF world titles.

A shove at a Beverly Hills press conference two months ago sent this championship fight to a personal level, but only technique and experience could decide it. For 11 rounds it looked like the judges would decide the winner, but it was not to be.

Plant presented an array of physical and technical obstacles for Alvarez. More than a few experts predicted the Tennessee fighter now based in Las Vegas would present a host of problems with his speed. Many cited Alvarez’s problems in the past.

It was not a problem.

In his 16 years fighting professionally, the 31-year-old with the assistance of trainer Eddy Reynoso have adjusted his game plans and polished up his modes of attack. They also have added patience.

As Plant shot out quick left jabs, Alvarez patiently timed the punches and countered with various blows. Most useful was the left hook to the body. Plant quickly shifted into another mode of attack.

Both were playing cat and mouse for the first two rounds with Alvarez pounding the body after every exchange.

Plant opened up his combination punching more in the third round. Alvarez calmly countered but Plant was able to connect at the end of the bell. It seemed promising for the IBF champion.

Alvarez increased his stalking tempo and looked to force Plant to make a move. During an exchange of punches close inside, both fighters clashed heads and time was called They touched gloves as an apology. When the fight resumed Alvarez increased his attack. Plant needed to find an escape route.

The sixth round seemed to be pivotal for Canelo. The Mexican fighter seemed dismissive of Plant’s power and began firing combinations with little regard for the taller fighter’s counters. Near the end of the round Plant fired five quick jabs and rights and Alvarez slipped every blow. A knockout seemed only a matter of time.

Plant rallied in the ninth round behind some rapid combinations including a pounding shot to the body. Alvarez seemed to notice Plant had regained momentum. He looked at him for a second after a four-punch combination.

In the 10^th round Plant tried to keep his rally going and was met with some thunderous blows by Alvarez to the body and head. Both tried to grab the momentum but Alvarez’s power was just too much. The blows could be heard in the arena.

Canelo opened up the 11^th round with four punishing blows. Plant was unable to counter and Alvarez continued in full stalk mode. Another left to the body and then a left hook to the temple stunned Plant and he bent over. Alvarez immediately fired a left uppercut that snapped Plant’s head back, snuck a right uppercut in, and down went the American fighter. He got up and trotted across the ring during the count. The fight resumed and Canelo was in full attack. A right cross hurt Plant again and then another overhand right finished Plant without a count by referee Russell Mora. The fight was stopped at 1:05 of the 11^th round for a technical knockout win for Alvarez.

Canelo becomes Mexico’s first undisputed world champion and firmly establishes himself as the pride of Mexico. The fans roared with pleasure.

“This is for all of Mexico,” Alvarez shouted.

Plant was taken to a local Las Vegas hospital for observation.

Alvarez applauded Plant’s fighting ability.

“He is a great fighter,” said Alvarez. “Its not the end for him.”

Other Bouts

Former world champion Anthony DIrrell (34-2-2, 25 KOs) connected on a one-punch knockout via the uppercut to defeat tough Marcos Hernandez (15-5-2, 3 KOs) in a super middleweight fight. He’s hoping his emphatic win puts him in the running to fight Alvarez.

Dirrell lost to David Benavidez last year and was having a somewhat tough time against Hernandez when suddenly at 22 seconds of the fourth round the Michigan fighter snaked a long right uppercut to Hernandez’s chin and down he sunk. He could not beat referee Celestino Ruiz’s count.

“Right on the button. We practice that in the gym,” said Dirrell.

Rey Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) was faster, taller and just plain everything in defeating fellow Mexican featherweight Leonardo Baez (21-5, 12 KOs) by unanimous decision in a fast-paced 10-round featherweight fight.

No knockdowns were scored as Vargas seemed to clean up a habit of using holding as a defensive tactic. He rarely resorted to that tactic and instead fought his way out of close encounters. Baez had his better moments in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds as he looked to fire the last blow of every exchange. It worked but not enough to convince the judges. All three judges scored it for Vargas 99-91, 100-90 twice.

A super lightweight battle saw Elvis Rodriguez (12-1-1, 11 KOs) start slowly and then slowly switch into another gear and win by knockout over Mexico’s Juan Pablo Romero (14-1, 9 KOs). Rodriguez who is trained by Freddie Roach, turned things around in the fourth round with a lead left cross that dropped Romero.

In the fifth round Romero looked to regain control and was looking to counter. Rodriguez started a right jab and crossed with the left and beat Romero to the punch and down went the Mexican. He sat up and looked like a rower with both hands on his legs as referee Robert Hoyle counted him out at 2:59 of the round.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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