In a thrilling clash of undisputed champions, Canelo Alvarez showcased his boxing mastery, proving once again why he belongs among the pound-for-pound elite. At 33 years old and in the best shape of his career, Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) delivered a dominant performance against Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card at the T-Mobile Arena.
Alvarez, the Mexican icon and reigning undisputed super middleweight champion, claimed a resounding unanimous decision victory with judges’ scores of 119-108 and 118-109 (twice). This bout marked the first meeting between two defending undisputed four-belt champions in men’s boxing history.
From the opening bell, Alvarez systematically dismantled Charlo, who struggled to find his rhythm throughout the fight. Charlo’s usually potent jab was notably absent, and he couldn’t deter Alvarez with his power punches in the latter rounds.
Canelo vs Charlo: Alvarez Dominates in Unanimous Decision Victory
A ringside view of @Canelo's chopping right that forced Charlo to take a knee. #CaneloCharlo pic.twitter.com/QF2WNZoRZ8
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) October 1, 2023
Alvarez’s superior boxing skills were evident as he landed 134 punches to Charlo’s 71, according to CompuBox. He connected on 35% of his punches overall and an impressive 40% of his power shots, including a significant advantage in body shots.
One defining moment came in the seventh round when Alvarez sent Charlo to the canvas with a powerful right hand, sealing his dominance. Charlo, to his credit, showed grit by taking a voluntary knee to recover.
After the fight, Alvarez dispelled any doubts about his age and mileage catching up with him. He attributed his previous underwhelming performances to a nagging left wrist injury that hindered his training. With this victory, he declared his intention to return to the ring next May, though he remained coy about his future opponent.
Despite his loss, Charlo displayed sportsmanship and announced his plans to return to the 154-pound division, where he remains the undisputed champion. He even extended an invitation to undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford for a future showdown.
In conclusion, Canelo Alvarez’s masterful performance against Jermell Charlo reaffirmed his status as one of the boxing world’s true legends. His precision, power, and ring intelligence were on full display, leaving no doubt about his place among the sport’s all-time greats. As boxing fans eagerly await his next move, one thing is clear: Canelo Alvarez remains the king of the super middleweight division and an indomitable force in the world of boxing.