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Alvarez Beats Khan By KO;
Lemieux Stops Tapia; Plus More
Results
By Daniel Cloutier
Photos: Marlene Marquez
LAS VEGAS – Mexico’s Saul Canelo Alvarez promised to his
fans to remain the WBC middleweight champion of the world
this weekend of the Cinco De Mayo celebrations. He kept his
promise. Alvarez made a successful first defense of his
world middleweight title, in beating the British Amir Khan
by KO in the sixth round. Former super lightweight (140
pounds) champion of the world, Khan was fighting for the
first time in the middleweight division (160 pounds).
Khan used his fast hands to connected punches in the first
round, and Alvarez replied with power hooks.
In the second round, Khan avoided several power punches and
replied with fast attacks from both hands.
Alvarez connected more punches in the third round than he
did in the previous one, but Khan still looked good with his
quick hands.
Again, Khan avoided several power shots to the head in the
fourth round, but Alvarez connected him with several good
body punches.
Aggressive, Alvarez touched the target several times in the
fifth round, against a very careful opponent.
In the sixth round, Alvarez connected a great over right
hand on the Khan’s chin, the Brit went on the floor…. and
stayed on the floor for more than three minutes. The KO was
scored after 2.37 minutes of this sixth round.
If Khan looked pretty good in the first two rounds, he was
clearly dominated by an intense and aggressive Alvarez in
the four next rounds.
For Alvarez, who connected a lot of solid body shots, it was
a 47th win in pro boxing (47-1-1, 33 KO’s).
For Khan, who threw only five body shots in the entire bout,
it was a fourth defeat (31-4, 19 KO’s).
Khan became too careful after the second round, and Alvarez,
obviously, took advantage of the situation.
In his post fight comments a vocal Khan said, “I want to
thank everyone for coming,I think it’s time for Canelo to
step up to GGG, just like I stepped up to fight him. I tried
as much as I could and trained very hard for this fight.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the result I wanted. Although I
feel strong at this weight, I am naturally a lighter fighter
and plan to go back down to welterweight. But, I like to
challenge myself and that is why I took this fight. I want
to be the best, and to be the best I have to fight the
best.”
After the fight Canelo said, "He is a fast fighter, and I
knew things would be complicated in beginning, but I knew
they would come to my favor as the fight went on. People
have known me only for my power. I have many more qualities
in the ring and I showed that. I think people saw more of me
tonight. Someone that comes in to box gives you more trouble
and someone that comes right in is a little easier to
fight."
Regarding GGG who was on the ring apron, "I invited him to
come to the ring. Like we say in Mexico 'we don't fuck
around.' I don't fear anyone; we don't come to play in this
sport. I fear no one in this sport. Right now I will put on
the gloves again and fight him.”¯
David Lemieux Stops Tapia In The Fourth Round
Montrealer middleweight David Lemieux, who is dreaming to
get soon another shot for a world title, made a step in that
direction Saturday evening in the ring of the T-Mobile Arena
in Las Vegas. Former IBF middleweight champion of the world,
Lemieux won a NABO North American championship, with a win
by TKO in the fourth round against the Jersey Boy, Glen
Tapia.
Lemieux, who was the aggressor in the first round, connected
several power punches. Tapia was working more with the jab
than the big punches.
Tapia (23-3-0) was productive offensively in the first half
of the second round, but Lemieux attacked furiously in the
second half of the round.
Tapia got few good attacks in the third round, but the
Montrealer was more intense, more aggressive, more
productive offensively.
Lemieux floored Tapia in the fourth round with a solid right
hand to the head.
Tapia got back on his legs, but the referee stopped the
bout.
The fight has been stopped after 56 seconds of action in
this fourth round. The bout was scheduled for 10 rounds.
“Tapia is a tough fighter, but I took advantage of his
openings defense, said Lemieux. I wanted to outbox him and
hurt him in each round. I am satisfied of the result. I got
a great preparation, mentally and physically, and I think I
fought well strategically. This victory means the world to
me, it proves all the doubters that Lemieux is back. When I
first got offered this fight, I knew that it wasn’t going to
be easy. We made sure to have the best training camp
possible and within the first round I knew I was dominating.
I knew after the first round that I would knock him out. I’m
ready to be among the best in the middleweight division and
become a world champion again."
Tapia was not happy after the bout. “Yes, I am frustrated to
see the bout stopped so soon, said Tapia. Lemieux connected
me with a solid punch in the fourth round, but I really
believe I could continue to fight. I was not so hurt. I
thought I could do better later in the bout. I’ll be back.
This wasn’t my day at all. He got me from the first round. I
kept thinking that I’d get started but I never did. I’m
ready to come back. I took a big chance and it didn’t go my
way but I’m not done yet.”
Tapia’s corner men sent the message to the referee to stop
the fight. The referee didn’t have another choice than
declared Tapia TKO.
Tapia was fighting in the middleweight (160 pounds) for the
first time of his career. He was used to fight in the super
welterweight (154 pounds) division.
Lemieux, who has now a record of 35-3-0, hopes to be
involved in a world champion bout as soon as possible.
Lemieux lost his IBF middleweight championship of the world
last October at Madison Square Garden in New York. He lost
by TKO in the eighth round against Gennady Golovkin
(34-0-0), from Kazakstan, in an unification (WBA and IBF)
world titles bout. Several boxing writers are considering
now Golovkin as the best fighter pound for pound in the
world.
Gomez Gets Easy Win Over Herrera
Californian welterweight Frankie Gomez got an easy win over
Mauricio Herrera, another Californian. Faster, more intense,
more energetic, he beat him by unanimous decision in 10
rounds. The three judges got identical cards of 100-90 in
favor of Gomez. For Gomez, a fighter from Los Angeles, it
was a 21st win in pro boxing (21-0-0). Herrera, a boxer from
Riverside, lost for the sixth time (22-6-0).
The first four rounds has been clearly dominated by Gomez,
who was faster than his rival, and more intense. In the last
minute of the second round, Herrera got a serious cut under
the left eye.
In the third and fourth rounds, Gomez connected several
power punches to the head and the body.
After a close fifth round, Gomez attacks intensively in the
sixth round and connected a lot of solid shots.
Gomez maintained his domination in the seventh round, with
his speed and tenacity.
Herrera got his best offensive moments of the bout in the
eighth round, but Gomez, again, found the way to connect
more punches.
In the ninth round, Gomez had an easy time with his speed
and mobility who made him dominate the action. Gomez
complete his good work in the 10th round, to win this bout
easily.
After his victory Gomez told the media, “It feels good to
get this victory,I trained really hard and it paid off. I’m
ready to take on my next challenge and take on the best at
140. I want to thank my fans, and I’m glad I was able to put
on a good show for them."
Stevens Serves Up Reality For Teixeira
Brazilian Patrick Teixeira was established favorite to win
the vacant Latinos middleweight championship Saturday
evening at the T-Mobile Arena in the first fight televised
by HBO, but he did not survive five minutes against the
veteran American boxer Curtis Stevens.
In the first round, Teixeira was efficient with his jabs,
but Stevens connected the most powerful punches of the
round. The Brazilian looked hurt from one power shot.
Stevens floored Teixeira in the first minute of the second
round, with a powerful right overhand. Stevens got back on
his feet, but he was clearly hurt. The referee stopped the
bout and allowed to Stevens a win by TKO. The bout has been
stopped after only 1.04 minute of action in this second
round.
For Teixeira, it was a first defeat in 27 pro bouts.
Stevens, a fighter from Brooklyn, New York, scored his 28th
win (28-5-0).
After the fight Stevens said, “The name of the game is to
knock people out and that’s what I did tonight, I feel great
to get back into the game after my one and a half year
break. I really want Lemieux, but I will take whatever I can
get."
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