Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Canelo’s Dominance Remains Unchallenged
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas — Rumors of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s decline have been greatly exaggerated, as the reigning boxing sensation demonstrated his unwavering supremacy by effortlessly retaining his undisputed super middleweight titles in a bout against Jermell Charlo. The fight was an absolute mismatch, with Charlo struggling to keep up with one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters, especially after moving up two weight classes and relinquishing his undisputed super welterweight status.
Charlo’s performance was uninspiring, and he was completely outclassed by Canelo, who relentlessly attacked Charlo’s body throughout the fight. The only real moment of excitement came in the seventh round when Canelo scored a knockdown.
Canelo explained, “I focused on body shots throughout the fight, and then I switched things up. That’s what happens when you change your strategy.”
Charlo spent most of the fight on the ropes, absorbing Canelo’s punishing blows. Canelo’s tactics were clear: bully Charlo, deliver efficient jabs, and occasionally land hooks to the head.
As the rounds progressed, Canelo’s dominance became increasingly apparent. In the seventh round, he capitalized on a body shot with a right hand to Charlo’s temple, causing him to take a knee.
From that point on, it was survival mode for Charlo. Fans began leaving the arena due to the insurmountable lead, and Canelo grew frustrated with Charlo’s unwillingness to engage. The judges’ scores mirrored the fight’s one-sided nature, with Canelo winning decisively with scores of 119-108, 118-109, and 118-109.
Canelo, with a record of 59-2-2 and 39 KOs, successfully defended his undisputed super middleweight championship for the third time, having unified all four major titles in a spectacular victory over Caleb Plant in November 2021. Following a minor setback in his pursuit of light heavyweight gold against Dmitry Bivol, the 33-year-old superstar has now secured three consecutive victories, eagerly awaiting his next challenge.
While many fans anticipate a megafight between Canelo and undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford, it remains a logistical challenge due to the significant weight difference. Crawford is currently focused on a potential rematch with Errol Spence, making other opponents like David Benavidez and Jermell’s older brother, Jermall Charlo, more viable options.
Meanwhile, Jermell Charlo, who still holds the IBF, WBA, and WBC championships, may choose to return to the 154-pound division to defend his titles. However, after his lackluster performance against Canelo, his call-out of Crawford seems unlikely to gain traction.
The Canelo vs. Charlo fight in Las Vegas showcased Canelo’s undeniable superiority and left fans eagerly anticipating his next move in the world of boxing.