Canelo vs Plant LIVE: Result and latest reaction to undisputed world title fight
The Mexican finished the fight in the 11th round to become the sport’s first undisputed world super-middleweight champion
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Canelo Alvarez became the first undisputed four-belt super middleweight world champion in boxing history Saturday night, stopping Caleb Plant in the 11th round with two dramatic knockdowns.
Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) added Plant’s IBF title to his own WBC, WBA and WBO belts with a steady tactical performance culminating in a brilliant display of his vaunted power to finish the previously unbeaten Plant at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The Mexican superstar generally recognized as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world became the sixth man to be a four-belt champion, and he joined junior welterweight Josh Taylor as the only current undisputed champs of their weight class.
After stopping three of his previous four opponents, Alvarez had to grind through a difficult matchup with the tenacious Plant (21-1), who usually moved backward and worked behind his jab to stay away from Canelo‘s power.
Alvarez remained persistent and racked up a volume of quality punches — and in the opening seconds of the 11th round, he sent Plant crashing to the canvas with a vicious combination followed by an uppercut while Plant tried to duck away.
Plant got up unsteadily, and Alvarez dropped him again with two big right hands, forcing referee Russell Mora to end it.
Plant is a sturdy champion and an inspirational athlete who overcame numerous personal tragedies to earn a shot at the pound-for-pound champ, but the Tennessee native found out just how big the gap remains between Canelo and his contemporaries.
Alvarez is the first Mexican fighter to reign undisputed atop a division, and every flag-waving fan in the vehemently pro-Canelo sellout crowd of 16,586 seemed aware of the achievement. The champion, a Guadalajara native, spoke frequently before the fight of his determination to achieve the feat both for himself and for Mexico.
Alvarez extended the most successful active career in boxing with his eighth consecutive victory in just over three years. He hasn’t lost in 16 fights since dropping a majority decision to Floyd Mayweather in 2013, with only a draw against Gennady Golovkin blemishing his record.
Alvarez and Plant had no personal animus until September, when Alvarez took offense to an insult from Plant during a news conference in Beverly Hills to promote the bout. Alvarez and Plant briefly scrapped, leaving Plant with a cut on his face and a new avenue of motivation.
Plant opened the biggest bout of his career with a solid game plan, tapping Alvarez with a solid jab and moving away from his opponent’s superior power, frequently using a shoulder roll to avoid trouble. Alvarez steadily walked down Plant and did damage in the fourth, backing him against the ropes and letting combinations fly.
Alvarez showed little fear of Plant’s punches, and he got even less heedful as the bout progressed. Alvarez gradually landed more effectively in the middle rounds, moving Plant backward and even daring the cautious Plant to hit him in the seventh.
Boxing gets frequent, deserved criticism as an institution for the promoter rivalries and fractious sanctioning bodies that prevent the best fighters from meeting each other far too often. But Alvarez used his star power to join an elite club by winning all four major belts.
Only five men had ever achieved four-belt undisputed champion status since the feat became possible with the WBO’s advent: middleweights Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor, junior welterweights Terence Crawford and Taylor, and cruiserweight Oleksandr Usyk.
Taylor achieved the feat in May by beating Jose Ramirez. His first simultaneous defense of all four belts is scheduled for February in Glasgow against Jack Catterall.
In the co-main event, super middleweight veteran Anthony Dirrell earned his first win in nearly three years by stopping Marcos Hernandez in the opening moments of the fourth round with a vicious uppercut. The 37-year-old Dirrell celebrated with a standing backflip.
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Dirrell vs Hernandez
Here we go then, Dirrell vs Hernandez, one more dance before the big one.
Can Dirrell generate some momentum here, he’s suffered a loss to David Benavidez and a draw to Kyrone Davis, so a loss here would see him question his future at this level.
Hernandez has been busy, this his fifth fight in just over one year, including a win over previously unbeaten Jose Armando Resendiz last time outt this year.
Canelo vs Plant
Frampton, Calzaghe, Haye and Tibbs all very impressed by Vargas.
The big one is edging closer... Plant is having his hands wrapped right now.
One more fight on the undercard (Anthony Dirrell vs Marcos Hernandez) and then it’s undisputed time!
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Vargas vs Baez
Baez up on the ring post celebrating. He’s brave.
But Vargas was classy and takes it: 99-91, 100-90, 100-90.
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Vargas vs Baez
Can Vargas close the show? Into the final two rounds.
Baez is tough, like a bull, coming forward and acting as a perfect target for Vargas on the back foot. Baez's right is a complete mess.
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Vargas vs Baez
Baez’s face is now a bloody mess!
Straight right down the pipe from Vargas shakes Baez to his boots.
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Vargas vs Baez
This is a clinic from Vargas, a joy to watch.
Jim Gray speaking to both fighters as they near wrapping their hands and warming up.
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Vargas vs Baez
Vargas in control and throwing some crisp shots.
Right uppercuts and then left hooks, real whip in the latter.
A great watch is Vargas!
A clash of heads nicks up Baez’s face, a blemish under his right eye and nose, it’s more of a graze.
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Vargas vs Baez
The champ is here!
Canelo arrives with a cheeky smile, this is a confident man.
Could this be a dominant display tonight to cement his status as the best fighter on the planet?
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