By Syl Peterkin, RCM Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (March 9th, 2014)– Saul “Canelo” Alveraz, 23, (42-1-1, 30 KOs) stepped into the ring against Alfredo Angulo, 31, (22-3, 18 KOs). This was Canelo’s first fight since losing the WBC Light Middleweight title and the WBA Super World Light Middleweight title to Floyd Mayweather in a majority decision. Alfredo Angulo was also coming off a loss to former amateur world champion Erislandy Lara (via a 10 round TKO).
Canelo paid $100,000 to Angulo because of issues making weight, the 154lbs limit (Canelo made 155lbs). It was also agreed that Canelo couldn’t go over 168 pounds by 3pm on Saturday (fight night). The purse was a minimum $1.15 million for Canelo and $850,000 for Angulo. Before the fight, Canelo weighed 174lbs and Angulo was 170lbs.
The fight took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. In this fight, Canelo put on a boxing clinic. Angulo not known for his defense but for being a tough fighter-puncher presented an available target for Canelo. Canelo took advantage of this by using sharp combinations to the head and the body. Canelo threw multiple punches including left hooks, right crosses, and uppercuts. Every time Angulo would mount an offense he was punished by Canelo. By the middle rounds it was not a matter of whom, but how long the fight would last. Angulo’s face was already swelling by the 5th round. Angulo consistently went forward but only managed 104 punches. (Ringside stats) In contrast, Canelo landed 295 punches. (Ringside stats) By the end of the 9th round there was a conference between the ref and the ring doctor to see if Angulo could continue. Angulo’s trainer, Virgil Hunter, stated that he would stop the fight if Canelo put together another combination. In the 10th round, after a sharp uppercut (0:47) by Canelo on Angulo, the referee stopped the fight. The crowed booed at what they thought was an early stoppage. Angulo and Virgil Hill protested, but the dominant performance was all that needed. Two judges had the fight 89-82 and the a third had the fight 88-83
As it stands, Canelo is slated for 2 more fights this year, one on July 26 and the other on November 22. Angulo will have to reevaluate his options after two TKO losses.
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