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: Vargas vs Baez
More undercard action now...
More Mexican boxing!
Rey Vargas takes on Leonardo Baez at featherweight, with Vargas (34-0) the strong favourite.
With the UFC on simultaneously tonight, discussion among fight fans has been about fighters’ pay.
At the top, you can expect *a lot* of money, but the spread is more even from top to bottom in MMA.
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Rodriguez vs Romero
Brilliant power and pinpoint accuracy at close range, the clipping right forced Rodriguez over to his left and then he came back with a short, powerful left that shook Romero to his boots and forced him to stay sat on the canvas despite edging the round up to that points.
Statement win from Rodriguez, who is back and has cemented his credentials as a fun fighters with fight-changing power, look out for him in the future, Roach has a gem!
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Rodriguez vs Romero
BANG!
Rodriguez drops Romero, who can’t beat the count!
He nods at the ref as he screams the count in his face, NO MAS!
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Rodriguez vs Romero
Tremendous action here, Rodriguez forces Romero to take a knee!
Damage done with the left uppercuts, then a straight left sends Romero sprawling to the ropes, before crouching down to the canvas.
What a comeback this could be!
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Rodriguez vs Romero
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Rodriguez vs Romero
Canelo vs Plant undercard: Rodriguez vs Romero
Romero racing out to a quick lead here, more activity, taking the centre of the ring and more power to his shots.
Rodriguez hurt to the body briefly, he’s in a hole and Roach has to go to work after two to regain an edge.
Plant: Beating Canelo is my destiny
“We agree to disagree, we’re going to find out Saturday night though. I promise you that,” said Plant.
“I love it, you can cheer for him all you want, you can boo for me all you want. It’s easy to sit in those seats, it ain’t easy to stand up here. Remember that. I was born for this. This is my destiny.”
Rodriguez, from the Dominican Republic, is trained by Freddie Roach and a favourite here.
But a shock last time out against Kenneth Sims Jr piles on the pressure to deliver here.
He’ll be expected to look good against Romero, who is unbeaten, and coming in early with winging hooks.
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