Canelo Alvarez showcased his true self in a resounding performance that left no doubt about his supremacy in the boxing world.
The undisputed 168-pound champion, whose recent outings raised questions about his form, delivered a masterful display against Jermell Charlo at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Official scores of 119-108, 118-109, and 118-109, in line with Boxing Junkie's 118-109 scorecard, affirmed Alvarez's dominant victory.
Good health proved to be the game-changer. Alvarez, who attributed his lackluster performances to injuries, particularly an injured left wrist, emphasized that he's now injury-free. His confidence and strength were on full display.
"I’m a strong fighter," Alvarez declared. "All the time, with all the fighters. I’m a strong man. This Canelo, nobody can beat this Canelo."
Alvarez's recent struggles included a unanimous decision loss to Dmitry Bivol at 175 pounds and underwhelming wins over Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder. Speculation mounted that 18 years in the sport were taking a toll on him, but Alvarez remained determined to prove his abilities when uninhibited by injuries.
Against Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), who moved up two weight divisions for the fight, Alvarez dominated from the second round onward. He applied relentless pressure, landing significant head and body blows while effectively neutralizing Charlo's attempts to mount an offense.
Charlo exhibited resilience and defensive prowess, surviving a knockdown in Round 7 and absorbing Alvarez's onslaught. Despite being outmatched, the challenger demonstrated his technical skills, dodging most head shots and absorbing 42 body punches, according to CompuBox.
Alvarez's performance showcased his deep love for the sport and his desire to continue excelling. While not securing a knockout did not concern him, he valued the opportunity to demonstrate his excellence over 12 rounds.
"I worked on that in the gym for three months in the mountains without my family, without my friends," he stated. "I still love boxing. I still love boxing. I still love boxing so f—ing much. Boxing is my life. Boxing made me the person I am today. That’s why I love it so much."
As Alvarez looks ahead to future challenges, his confidence remains unshaken. He indicated the possibility of fighting on Cinco de Mayo weekend, a tradition for him, and expressed enthusiasm for his next opponent.
"We’ll see who’s next," he said.
When asked about David Benavidez, Alvarez's response underscored his unwavering self-belief: "I don’t know. I don’t f—ing care."
Charlo, despite his disappointment, maintained his resilience and ambition, planning to return to the 154-pound division for a potential matchup with the winner of the Tim Tszyu-Brian Mendoza fight on October 14. He also expressed interest in challenging welterweight champ Terence Crawford.
In victory or defeat, the future holds significant opportunities for both fighters, and they remain determined to make their marks in the boxing world.