LAS VEGAS – At 33, and fully healthy for the first time in two years, Canelo Alvarez reminded boxing fans on Saturday why he still belongs among the pound-for-pound best in the world.
Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) systematically dominated a timid and overwhelmed Jermell Charlo en route to a wide unanimous decision in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card from T-Mobile Arena. The Mexican icon took home judges' scores of 119-108 and 118-109 (twice) to defend his undisputed super middleweight championship.
In the first meeting between defending undisputed four-belt champions in men's boxing history, Alvarez battered the arms and shoulders of the smaller Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), whose four-pack of 154-pound titles were not at stake in this 168-pound match. Alvarez also cut off the ring at will to consistently overwhelm the output of his opponent.
"Nobody can beat this Canelo," Alvarez said.
Charlo, who is two months older than Alvarez at 33, was never able to get out of first gear. His jab was non-existent for most of the bout and he was never able to bother or slow Alvarez down with his power shots in the second half.
Alvarez outlanded Charlo by a margin of 134 to 71, according to CompuBox. He landed 35% of his punches overall and 40% of his power connects, including a 42 to 11 advantage in body shots.
"I don't make excuses for myself so it is what it is," Charlo said. "I took my punches but this is boxing. You win some and you lose some.
"You could feel the difference in weight because I came up 12 pounds. I was daring to be great today. I took the shots and just kept pushing."
Alvarez put his stamp on the fight with a delayed knockdown in Round 7 as he backed Charlo up to the ropes and landed a looping right through his high guard. After taking a second to absorb the shot, Charlo took a voluntary knee.
"We worked on the body because he's a great fighter and knows how to move around the ring," Alvarez said. "We trained for three months in the mountains without my family or anything because I just love boxing so f---ing much. Boxing is my life and boxing has made me the best in the game today.
"I needed 12 rounds to show that I am the best and to show who is better."
Despite the cries from Charlo's corner in the final rounds to go for the knockout, he was never able to create enough of a threat to break through.
"I hit him with some hard shots," Charlo said. "I got him off of me."
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Alvarez shook off any notion that age and mileage had kept up with him after a three-fight stretch in which he looked human. Alvarez blamed the performances, in which he faded late despite winning two of three, on a nagging left wrist injury which prevented him from training at full strength.
After the fight, Alvarez declared his intentions of returning to the ring next May but decided against declaring a targeted opponent despite the ringside presence of undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford, who had been campaigning to face the winner.
"Cinco de Mayo [weekend]," Alvarez said. "Whoever, I don't care. I don't f---ing care."
Despite the loss, Charlo said he would move back down to 154 pounds, where he remains the undisputed champion, and wasn't shy to invite Crawford to a future fight.
"[F---] that, I could fight Terence Crawford," Charlo said. "Let him fight Errol Spence and get that out of the way. I'm waiting."
Alvarez became the first four-belt undisputed champion to defend his titles three times.
CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday with the live results and highlights below.
Fight card, results
- Canelo Alvarez (c) def.Jermell Charlo via unanimous decision (119-108, 118-109, 118-109)
- Erickson Lubin def. Jesus Ramos via unanimous decision (117-111, 116-112, 115-112)
- Mario Barrios def. Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision (117-108, 118-107, 118-107)
- Elijah Garcia def. Armando Resendiz via eighth-round TKO
Alvarez vs. Charlo scorecard, live coverage
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvarez | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 119 |
| Charlo | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 108 |
