By David A. Avila

Published May 9, 2021

In a festival setting surrounded by mariachis, screaming fans and giant television screens Saul “Canelo” Alvarez systematically hunted and bludgeoned England’s Billy Joe Saunders to win the WBO super middleweight title by technical knockout on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

“He was strong, but not as strong physically,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez now possesses three of the four major world titles.

A record 73,000 fans at AT&T Stadium witnessed Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) inch closer and closer to Saunders (30-1, 14 KOs) until the speedy southpaw broke from a punch that he could not avoid. Alvarez now has the WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight world titles.

As always Alvarez stalked his foe with measured steps looking to counter whatever move was fired in his direction. Saunders in his southpaw stance tentatively shot out right jabs and left cross combinations that fell short of the target. Canelo countered with a thudding left hook to the body. A few times this same action-reaction took place in the first round, but all three judges would give the round to Saunders on their score cards.

Canelo’s powerful body shots resonated whenever he connected. Though not able to weaken Saunders resolve, it did force the British champion to remain at a distance and not take unnecessary chances.

The Mexican redhead was well-versed in every move that Saunders offered as if given a classified script of the British fighter’s war plans. Every move seemed expected by Alvarez who fired murderous right uppercuts that whistled in the air when they did not connect.

Danger was in the air and Saunders seemed to understand what 55 other previous Alvarez opponents understood, Canelo cannot be allowed to connect.

Saunders seemed bothered with a few blows fired by the Mexican champion but by the sixth round he realized he could exchange and survive. Rapid jabs and rifling lefts scored and suddenly a slight momentum shift took place. Alvarez did not seem bothered but when he sat down to speak to his trainer Eddy Reynoso he seemed eager to hear solutions. Reynoso advised him to elevate his uppercut to a higher destination.

Body shot after body shot connected on Saunders every time he offered to fire a punch. The pounding seemed to affect his willingness to exchange but the British fighter realized he could not win otherwise.

Alvarez had that look of a hunter about to corner his prey and the multitude of fans could sense the end.

Saunders was fighting for his championship life and knew he could not make a mistake. After slipping under a Canelo combination, it proved to be a mistake as the powerful Mexican champion fired a vicious right uppercut exactly where Saunders ducked his head. As soon as Alvarez connected the British fighter jumped awkwardly away from further danger.

Saunders was hurt and Alvarez knew it.

Alvarez slipped into his killing mode and motioned the crowd to a fever pitch. The Mexican fighter sensed the moment to seize a third world title had arrived and he was not about to allow Saunders to escape.

Body shots continued to bombard Saunders who tried clinching in a vain attempt to survive. Nothing worked. When the eighth round finally ended, one could see the relief in Saunders entire body. He was in pain and his handlers realized it.

“I broke his cheek bone,” said Alvarez when he returned to his corner following the end of the round.

After a few seconds one of Saunders handlers waved a white towel in the air and soon the referee signaled the fight was over. Alvarez had won by technical knockout at the end of the eighth round and now holds three of the four super middleweight world titles.

“I knew it was going to end in the seventh or eighth round and that’s what happened,” said Alvarez. “I think I broke his cheek.”

After the interview it was revealed that Saunders might have suffered a broken orbital bone near his right eye. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

When asked who would be next, he suggested it will be IBF titlist Caleb Plant who holds the fourth super middleweight world title.

“I’m coming my friend,” said Canelo.