A machine-like Canelo Alvarez eventually broke down the skilful Billy Joe Saunders, forcing the British southpaw to retire on his stool after a brutal eighth-round assault at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday night.
Apparently well in the fight despite trailing on all three cards, Saunders crouched into a sickening right uppercut in the eighth with Canelo saying afterwards that he felt the Brit’s cheek crack on impact of the shot. Evidently hurt and also winded to the body, Saunders told trainer Mark Tibbs he was no longer able to see and was pulled out on his stool before the ninth. A crestfallen Saunders was later taken to hospital with a suspected fractured orbital bone.
The Brit had impressed in deep waters, but a methodical performance from Canelo became a merciless one as he cranked up the pressure in a one-sided eighth that saw Saunders good work swiftly unravel after the injury to his right eye.
Afterwards, the boxing world reacted to Canelo’s latest win, which saw him add the WBO title to the WBA Super and WBC super-middleweight crowns already in his possession.
“And thy aye all she wrote. Great shot from Canelo to injure Saunders. I thought BJS was winning that fight. I had him one round ahead going into that round. How did you all have it? From that replay, looks like possibly a broken cheek bone. Sore one & a great shot by Canelo.” – Josh Taylor.
“Canelo makes you work harder than you want to. Yes, he can lose rounds through being out worked but it’s the long game he plays. His defence is brilliant. Then when he goes to work he causes damage.” – Dave Coldwell.
“What a fighter Canelo is. He was slowly turning up the heat as rounds went on. BJS, as I said, is a winner and tried his best, and put up a good fight against the pound-for-pound great.” – Peter Fury.
“Nice KO win for Canelo, great event in front of 70K people. GGG still his toughest fights after Floyd, arguably winning the first if not both, there’s a reason for no third fight when you can get fights like this. Canelo very dominant. Congrats.” – Tom Loeffler.
“I think that’s the best we’ve seen Canelo ?? the greatest of this generation.” – Vergil Ortiz.
“He didn’t want to continue there.” – Shane McGuigan.
“Told y’all Canelo is on another level man, bring on Plant, but the biggest mistake he made is sitting around waiting for Canelo.” – Ishe Smith.
“Billie [Joe] quit, but it was a great choice he was gonna get hurt the next rounds. Canelo just turned up the gear.” – Joseph Diaz.
“1st sign of adversity in his Super Bowl and Saunders quits. Same guy who thought it was funny making jokes about beating women. Same guy who’s son punched a fighter in his groin. CHARACTER! Karma is still undefeated!” – Stephen Edwards.
“That one I got right. Said on our podcast Saunders was picked by Canelo for reason, no power and in front where you can find him and bang body. Credit to Canelo, he executed.” – Teddy Atlas.
“Another day at the office.” – Canelo Alvarez.
Main image: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA.