Super middleweight unified champion Canelo Alvarez proved why he’s the best boxer in the world. He rubbed some salt in Billy Joe Saunders’ wound.
A total of 73,126 fans attended AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to see the super middleweight boxing unification bout between the great Canelo Alvarez and undefeated Billy Joe Saunders. Sauders boxed well for seven rounds but suffered a bad injury in round 8.
Alvarez stepped into the ring on Saturday, May 8, as the WBA and WBC super middleweight champion. He walked away with his hand raised in victory with the WBO belt added to his collection.
Alvarez controlled the first several rounds, but Saunders looked more comfortable by rounds 4 and 5. Things took a massive dip for the British fighter in round 8.
Midway through round 8, Alvarez stunned Saunders with a right uppercut that sent him reeling. He followed it up with a left uppercut that connected on Saunders’ right eye. It’s hard to tell which uppercut did the most damage, but Saunders’ eye instantly blew up.
Canelo Alvarez brutalized Billy Joe Saunders’ right eye to earn the round 8 TKO victory
Alvarez sensed that he did serious damage to Saunders’ eye and continued to pepper him with shots. In the middle of his beatdown, Alvarez felt the energy from the crowd as he enthusiastically signaled to the fans to cheer louder and cheer they did.
Saunders corner had to stop the fight after round 8. His eye was completely closed, and he was in lots of pain. Boxing commentators said that Saunders was being taken to the hospital after the fight, and they suspected he had a fractured right orbital bone.
Alvarez proved once again that he is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. He now has three of the four major division titles. The only one that illudes him is Caleb Plant’s IBF belt. Hopes are high a full unification bout between them can be made in September. Alvarez seems ready for another fight.