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Canelo Hammers Smith,
Unifies Super Middleweight Belts
By William Trillo
Photos: Ed Mulholland - Matchroom
In a dominant performance Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
seemingly never took a backward step inside the ring as
he unanimously defeated the now dethroned champ Callum
Smith (27-1, 19 KO’s). Chalk this one up as a good old
fashioned butt kicking. Give Smith kudos for never going
down over the twelve round shellacking but make no
mistake about it, this fight was a showcase for Canelo.
He used the moment in the spotlight to put a stamp on
his claim to being the best Pound4Pound fighter in the
world.
The fight started out slow, in fact Canelo may have lost
the first round. But like a runaway train heading
downhill Canelo began to gain speed and strength with
each passing round. Smith was game but even with a
decided edge in height and reach he did not have the
weapons needed to slow Canelo down, if even for a
second.
By round seven Smith’s face was marked up rather good,
blood spewed from his nose and he spent more and more
time languishing on the ropes. The bombs Canelo was
launching were coming close but in the end none of them
hit the bullseye. Smith never went down and made it to
hear the final bell ring after twelve rugged rounds.
Canelo left the ring with all the 168 pound belts to add
to his ever-growing collection.
Officially judges scorecards read 117-111 & 119-109 x 2
all in favor of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
After the fight Canelo quipped, “I did pretty good after
a thirteen-month layoff. Smith is a great fighter. I
showed I am the best in the world. This was one of my
best nights, to become a unified champion. I want all
the belts; it doesn’t matter who.”
When asked if it didn’t matter who, how about Gennady
Golovkin next? Canelo rolled his eyes and with a grin
answered, “I do not run from anybody. Of course, if the
Golovkin fight shows that it might take place, then I
will take it! I just showed the world that I fight the
best and I will be going for more!”
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