Rey Vargas easily outpointed overmatched Leonardo Baez on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant card Saturday in Las Vegas.
A long layoff and transition to a new weight class had no adverse affect on Rey Vargas.
The former WBC 122-pound titleholder, making his debut as a full-fledged 126-pounder, picked apart a game, but overmatched Leonard Baez to win a unanimous decision on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant card Saturday at the MGM in Las Vegas.
Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) used his long jab and sharp power shots — including many to the body — to keep his fellow Mexican at a distance that was favorable for the taller fighter, who also was the much better boxer.
Baez (21-5, 12 KOs) worked his way inside at times — and landed some solid shots — but he couldn’t do it consistently enough to win rounds. He could take solace only in the fact he survived to hear the final bell.
Thus, the final scores were no surprise: 99-91, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also scored the fight 100-90, a shutout.
Rey Vargas (left) had his way with Leonardo Baez. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports
Vargas hadn’t fought in more than two years, in part because of a broken leg he suffered while on a training run last year. Now, with a featherweight victory under his belt, a title shot could be on the horizon.
Vargas jumped to the top of the WBC rankings by virtue of his former title, which puts him in position to challenge long-reigning champion Gary Russell Jr.
Rey Vargas easily outpointed overmatched Leonardo Baez on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant card Saturday in Las Vegas.
A long layoff and transition to a new weight class had no adverse affect on Rey Vargas.
The former WBC 122-pound titleholder, making his debut as a full-fledged 126-pounder, picked apart a game, but overmatched Leonard Baez to win a unanimous decision on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant card Saturday at the MGM in Las Vegas.
Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) used his long jab and sharp power shots — including many to the body — to keep his fellow Mexican at a distance that was favorable for the taller fighter, who also was the much better boxer.
Baez (21-5, 12 KOs) worked his way inside at times — and landed some solid shots — but he couldn’t do it consistently enough to win rounds. He could take solace only in the fact he survived to hear the final bell.
Thus, the final scores were no surprise: 99-91, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also scored the fight 100-90, a shutout.
Rey Vargas (left) had his way with Leonardo Baez. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports
Vargas hadn’t fought in more than two years, in part because of a broken leg he suffered while on a training run last year. Now, with a featherweight victory under his belt, a title shot could be on the horizon.
Vargas jumped to the top of the WBC rankings by virtue of his former title, which puts him in position to challenge long-reigning champion Gary Russell Jr.
Elvis Rodriguez stopped Juan Pablo Romero in three rounds on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Elvis Rodriguez bounced back nicely from his first loss.
The Los Angeles-based Dominican knocked out capable Juan Pablo Romero in the third round of a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant card Saturday in Las Vegas.
Rodriguez (12-1-1, 11 KOs) was upset in his most-recent fight, a majority decision against Kenneth Sims Jr. in May, which put a halt to the momentum he had built.
He didn’t choose a pushover in his comeback bout, as Romero (14-1, 9 KOs) was unbeaten and a 2016 Olympian for Mexico.
And Romero looked like a threat to take down Rodriguez in the first few rounds, in which the fighters went back and forth in what seemed to be an evenly matched bout.
However, Rodriguez, a southpaw, took over in Round 4, when he put Romero down with a straight left with about a minute remaining in the round. Romero got up and seemed to recover but there was more to come.
Round 5 was competitive until the final seconds, when another left put Romero flat on his back. He sat up but decided to stay on the canvas as the referee reached a count of 10.
The fighters agreed to a 142-pound catch weight but Rodriguez is a junior welterweight, which has a limit of 140. His victory puts him back into the thick of the title hunt.
Elvis Rodriguez stopped Juan Pablo Romero in three rounds on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Elvis Rodriguez bounced back nicely from his first loss.
The Los Angeles-based Dominican knocked out capable Juan Pablo Romero in the third round of a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant card Saturday in Las Vegas.
Rodriguez (12-1-1, 11 KOs) was upset in his most-recent fight, a majority decision against Kenneth Sims Jr. in May, which put a halt to the momentum he had built.
He didn’t choose a pushover in his comeback bout, as Romero (14-1, 9 KOs) was unbeaten and a 2016 Olympian for Mexico.
And Romero looked like a threat to take down Rodriguez in the first few rounds, in which the fighters went back and forth in what seemed to be an evenly matched bout.
However, Rodriguez, a southpaw, took over in Round 4, when he put Romero down with a straight left with about a minute remaining in the round. Romero got up and seemed to recover but there was more to come.
Round 5 was competitive until the final seconds, when another left put Romero flat on his back. He sat up but decided to stay on the canvas as the referee reached a count of 10.
The fighters agreed to a 142-pound catch weight but Rodriguez is a junior welterweight, which has a limit of 140. His victory puts him back into the thick of the title hunt.
The Boxing Junkie analysis: Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant.
Canelo Alvarez is set to return to the ring, which is usually bad news for the man who will see him standing across the ring.
That man on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be Caleb Plant, a capable, but moderately experienced fighter who is about an 8-1 underdog (average of multiple outlets).
Does Plant have a reasonable chance of winning the pay-per-view fight for the undisputed super middleweight championship?
Depends how you define “reasonable.” He is a quick, athletic boxer with an extensive amateur background and a high ring IQ. However, he’ll be face to face with a beast that is evolving into an all-time great and is in his prime.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 6 Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas TV: Showtime PPV Division: Super middleweight At stake: Alvarez’s WBA, WBC, WBO and Plant’s IBF titles Current win streak: Alvarez, 7; Plant, 21 Ages: Alvarez, 31; Plant, 29 Stances: Both orthodox Trajectory: Alvarez at peak; Plant nearing peak Also fighting: Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Pablo Romero, junior welterweights; Rey Vargas vs. Leonard Baez, junior featherweights; Anthony Dirrell vs. Marcos Hernandez, super middleweights Worth watching (up to five stars)?* * * *
SKILL SET
Alvarez
Alvarez has evolved into one of the best boxers in the world. The Mexican star had unusual God-given ability when he turned professional at 15 years old in 2005, which allowed him to win consistently from the start. However, under the tutelage of Chepo and Eddy Reynoso, he has improved dramatically as the years have passed. Most notably he turned himself into an excellent defensive fighter, using head movement and uncanny anticipation. That, combined with his dangerous offensive arsenal, has made him a complete fighter.
Plant
Plant also has evolved into one of the better technicians in the sport. The Las Vegas-based Tennessean learned the ropes in an extensive amateur career, which culminated in his designation as a U.S. Olympic alternate in 2012. And, working with longtime trainer Justin Gamber, he has continued to polish his skills as a professional. That includes a sharp jab and elusiveness, both of which has frustrated overmatched opponents. He has combined that ability with natural speed and athleticism to build his perfect record as a pro.
Edge: Alvarez
PUNCHING POWER
Alvarez
Alvarez has some one-punch knockouts. The monstrous right hand that instantaneously ended the night of weak-chined Amir Khan in 2016 comes to mind. However, that was an anomaly. He can hurt anyone with a single shot but generally needs to combine his punches to take opponents out. That’s how he has collected 38 career knockouts.
Plant
Plant isn’t a puncher. He has knocked out the majority of his opponents – 12 of 21 – but that’s generally the result of an accumulation of punches, not particularly hard shots. He’ll outbox you, land more and more punches as the fight progresses, wear you down and then stop you. He recently KO’d Mike Lee in three rounds but that was the result of a huge disparity in ability.
Edge: Alvarez
EXPERIENCE
Alvarez
Alvarez didn’t have much of an amateur career, choosing to learn the ropes as a professional boxer. Sixteen years later he has 59 pro fights under his belt, many of them at the highest level of the sport. He reportedly has taken part in 18 major titles fights. That’s a lot of valuable experience.
Plant
Plant’s amateur foundation has served him well. He learned the fundamentals beginning at the age of 12, which is one reason he has been so successful as a professional. And while he has only 21 pro fights, he has fought at an elite level for about five years. He’s no newbie.
Edge: Alvarez
DURABILITY
Alvarez
Alvarez is a thick, strong man who has rarely been hurt in the ring and has had no major injuries. Jose Cotto, Miguel’s brother, stung Alvarez in the first round of their fight back in 2010. And Gennadiy Golovkin got his attention a few times in their fights. Otherwise, he has seemed to be indestructible.
Plant
Plant has absorbed everything thrown at him in 21 professional fights, including his title-winning victory over hard-punching Jose Uzcategui. That says something about his durability. Plant has also overcome horrible personal tragedies to fight on. That might say something about his mental toughness.
Edge: Alvarez
INTANGIBLES
Alvarez
Alvarez will have an advantage over most fighters in this category. He has so much experience under the bright lights that it has become a non-factor for him. His longtime trainer, Eddy Reynoso, has evolved into one of the best in the business. The majority of spectators at the MGM Grand will be rooting for him even though Plant is American. The list goes on.
Plant
Plant has been in a few big fights but nothing like this. And you have to experience it to be completely comfortable with it. Will that affect him in the ring? Trainer Justin Gamber has done a good job but he’s still building his reputation. How will he do in the corner? And Plant might be at a disadvantage when it comes to scoring. Some would argue that the guy who is supposed to win often is given the benefit of the doubt.
Edge: Alvarez
PREDICTION
Plant, quicker and more athletic than his opponent, will give Alvarez problems in the early rounds as the favorite gets his bearings. And that might extend past the middle rounds, as Plant continues to jab, fire off enough power shots to get the attention of the judges and use his feet to avoid trouble. He’s that good of a boxer. However, Alvarez, a master at slowing his opponent down with body shots and cutting off the ring, will catch up to Plant in Round 8 or 9. At that point he’ll land combinations that will render a damaged Plant unable to continue. We’ve seen it so many times.
The Boxing Junkie analysis: Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant.
Canelo Alvarez is set to return to the ring, which is usually bad news for the man who will see him standing across the ring.
That man on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be Caleb Plant, a capable, but moderately experienced fighter who is about an 8-1 underdog (average of multiple outlets).
Does Plant have a reasonable chance of winning the pay-per-view fight for the undisputed super middleweight championship?
Depends how you define “reasonable.” He is a quick, athletic boxer with an extensive amateur background and a high ring IQ. However, he’ll be face to face with a beast that is evolving into an all-time great and is in his prime.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 6 Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas TV: Showtime PPV Division: Super middleweight At stake: Alvarez’s WBA, WBC, WBO and Plant’s IBF titles Current win streak: Alvarez, 7; Plant, 21 Ages: Alvarez, 31; Plant, 29 Stances: Both orthodox Trajectory: Alvarez at peak; Plant nearing peak Also fighting: Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Pablo Romero, junior welterweights; Rey Vargas vs. Leonard Baez, junior featherweights; Anthony Dirrell vs. Marcos Hernandez, super middleweights Worth watching (up to five stars)?* * * *
SKILL SET
Alvarez
Alvarez has evolved into one of the best boxers in the world. The Mexican star had unusual God-given ability when he turned professional at 15 years old in 2005, which allowed him to win consistently from the start. However, under the tutelage of Chepo and Eddy Reynoso, he has improved dramatically as the years have passed. Most notably he turned himself into an excellent defensive fighter, using head movement and uncanny anticipation. That, combined with his dangerous offensive arsenal, has made him a complete fighter.
Plant
Plant also has evolved into one of the better technicians in the sport. The Las Vegas-based Tennessean learned the ropes in an extensive amateur career, which culminated in his designation as a U.S. Olympic alternate in 2012. And, working with longtime trainer Justin Gamber, he has continued to polish his skills as a professional. That includes a sharp jab and elusiveness, both of which has frustrated overmatched opponents. He has combined that ability with natural speed and athleticism to build his perfect record as a pro.
Edge: Alvarez
PUNCHING POWER
Alvarez
Alvarez has some one-punch knockouts. The monstrous right hand that instantaneously ended the night of weak-chined Amir Khan in 2016 comes to mind. However, that was an anomaly. He can hurt anyone with a single shot but generally needs to combine his punches to take opponents out. That’s how he has collected 38 career knockouts.
Plant
Plant isn’t a puncher. He has knocked out the majority of his opponents – 12 of 21 – but that’s generally the result of an accumulation of punches, not particularly hard shots. He’ll outbox you, land more and more punches as the fight progresses, wear you down and then stop you. He recently KO’d Mike Lee in three rounds but that was the result of a huge disparity in ability.
Edge: Alvarez
EXPERIENCE
Alvarez
Alvarez didn’t have much of an amateur career, choosing to learn the ropes as a professional boxer. Sixteen years later he has 59 pro fights under his belt, many of them at the highest level of the sport. He reportedly has taken part in 18 major titles fights. That’s a lot of valuable experience.
Plant
Plant’s amateur foundation has served him well. He learned the fundamentals beginning at the age of 12, which is one reason he has been so successful as a professional. And while he has only 21 pro fights, he has fought at an elite level for about five years. He’s no newbie.
Edge: Alvarez
DURABILITY
Alvarez
Alvarez is a thick, strong man who has rarely been hurt in the ring and has had no major injuries. Jose Cotto, Miguel’s brother, stung Alvarez in the first round of their fight back in 2010. And Gennadiy Golovkin got his attention a few times in their fights. Otherwise, he has seemed to be indestructible.
Plant
Plant has absorbed everything thrown at him in 21 professional fights, including his title-winning victory over hard-punching Jose Uzcategui. That says something about his durability. Plant has also overcome horrible personal tragedies to fight on. That might say something about his mental toughness.
Edge: Alvarez
INTANGIBLES
Alvarez
Alvarez will have an advantage over most fighters in this category. He has so much experience under the bright lights that it has become a non-factor for him. His longtime trainer, Eddy Reynoso, has evolved into one of the best in the business. The majority of spectators at the MGM Grand will be rooting for him even though Plant is American. The list goes on.
Plant
Plant has been in a few big fights but nothing like this. And you have to experience it to be completely comfortable with it. Will that affect him in the ring? Trainer Justin Gamber has done a good job but he’s still building his reputation. How will he do in the corner? And Plant might be at a disadvantage when it comes to scoring. Some would argue that the guy who is supposed to win often is given the benefit of the doubt.
Edge: Alvarez
PREDICTION
Plant, quicker and more athletic than his opponent, will give Alvarez problems in the early rounds as the favorite gets his bearings. And that might extend past the middle rounds, as Plant continues to jab, fire off enough power shots to get the attention of the judges and use his feet to avoid trouble. He’s that good of a boxer. However, Alvarez, a master at slowing his opponent down with body shots and cutting off the ring, will catch up to Plant in Round 8 or 9. At that point he’ll land combinations that will render a damaged Plant unable to continue. We’ve seen it so many times.
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant on Tuesday made weight and talked some trash ahead of their title fight on Saturday.
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant exchanged only words this time.
The fighters made weight on Friday for their showdown Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Alvarez coming in at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds and Plant at 167 before a pro-Alvarez crowd at the hotel.
They weren’t allowed to engage in a stare down afterward after their recent scuffle at a news conference. However, standing several feet apart, they exchanged heated trash talk.
“I said you will see tomorrow, it’s time,” said Alvarez, who spoke calmly. “I don’t need to say anything. It’s time. He will feel something different, believe me.”
Plant, booed throughout the weigh-in, was more intense when he was interviewed.
“We agreed to disagree. We’re going to find out Saturday night, though, I promise you that. … Tune in Saturday, Nov. 6, Showtime Pay-per-view and you’ll find out first hand.”
Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) holds three of the four major 168-pound titles, Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) the fourth. That means the winner will become the undisputed super middleweight champion.
The weigh-in results from the other featured fights are as follows:
Anthony Dirrell (168.5) vs. Marcos Hernandez (168.5), super middleweights
Rey Vargas (125) vs. Leonardo Baez (126.5), featherweights
Elvis Rodriguez (142) vs. Juan Pablo Romero (143), welterweights.
Note: Romero came in a pound over the contracted limit of 142. He had an hour after the initial weigh-in to lose the pound.
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant on Tuesday made weight and talked some trash ahead of their title fight on Saturday.
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant exchanged only words this time.
The fighters made weight on Friday for their showdown Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Alvarez coming in at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds and Plant at 167 before a pro-Alvarez crowd at the hotel.
They weren’t allowed to engage in a stare down afterward after their recent scuffle at a news conference. However, standing several feet apart, they exchanged heated trash talk.
“I said you will see tomorrow, it’s time,” said Alvarez, who spoke calmly. “I don’t need to say anything. It’s time. He will feel something different, believe me.”
Plant, booed throughout the weigh-in, was more intense when he was interviewed.
“We agreed to disagree. We’re going to find out Saturday night, though, I promise you that. … Tune in Saturday, Nov. 6, Showtime Pay-per-view and you’ll find out first hand.”
Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) holds three of the four major 168-pound titles, Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) the fourth. That means the winner will become the undisputed super middleweight champion.
The weigh-in results from the other featured fights are as follows:
Anthony Dirrell (168.5) vs. Marcos Hernandez (168.5), super middleweights
Rey Vargas (125) vs. Leonardo Baez (126.5), featherweights
Elvis Rodriguez (142) vs. Juan Pablo Romero (143), welterweights.
Note: Romero came in a pound over the contracted limit of 142. He had an hour after the initial weigh-in to lose the pound.
Special report: Ranking Canelo Alvarez’s calendar years in boxing, best to worst.
Canelo Alvarez has known almost nothing but success over the past decade-plus.
The Mexican star has beaten one ranked fighter after another, won major titles in four divisions and is on the cusp of becoming an undisputed champion for the first time. Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) faces Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) for all four major super middleweight belts in a pay-per-view bout Saturday from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
In this special feature, we take a look at Alvarez’s performances year by calendar year and then rank those years – best to worst – beginning in 2010, when he was introduced to American audiences on a significant scale.
The current year is not including because it hinges on Saturday’s fight. If he wins, it will be among his best years. If he loses, it will be down the list.
Here is what we came up with:
2019
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Daniel Jacobs (UD) and Sergey Kovalev (KO 11) Background: The victory over Jacobs seems to fly under the radar but it was impressive. Jacobs was talented, polished, a big middleweight and at the top of his game when he met Alvarez in a title-unification bout. And the Mexican was up to the challenge, outboxing Jacobs to win a unanimous decision in a competitive fight. … Six months later he made a bold move by deciding to move up to light heavyweight to challenge beltholder Kovalev, who was somewhat past his prime but still dangerous and bigger than Alvarez. The Russian fought Alvarez on roughly even terms until the challenger dropped the hammer in Round 11. Two big fights, two big victories.
2018
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Gennadiy Golovkin (MD) and Rocky Fielding (TKO 3) Background: The victory over Triple-G in their rematch was arguably the greatest of Alvarez’s career. The two best 160-pounders in the world had fought to a disputed draw a year earlier and there was every reason to believe the second fight would be just as close and perhaps disputed. It was, as both men held their own. However, unlike the first meeting, Alvarez pushed the action much of the fight and was rewarded for that on two of three cards. Golovkin was unbeaten and had made a record-tying 20 successful defenses going into the fight. … Throw out the Fielding fight. That was a secondary 168-pound title grab against a second-tier opponent.
2015
Record: 2-0 Opponents: James Kirkland (KO 3) and Miguel Cotto (UD) Background: The victory over the wildly aggressive Kirkland wasn’t as meaningful many other Alvarez triumphs because of the Texan’s limitations. However, Alvarez’s brutal knockout might’ve been the most breathtaking of his 38 stoppages, which added considerably to his growing star power. … Cotto, 35, was past his prime and a smallish 154-pounder but his unquestioned ability and experience made him a threat to Alvarez, at least on paper. In the end, the slick Puerto Rican did give Alvarez some difficulty but he ended up on the wrong end of a clear decision.
2014
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Alfredo Angulo (TKO 10) and Erislandy Lara (SD) Background: Some might forget that Angulo was a solid, durable boxer who was coming off a strong performance in a loss to the respected Lara when he fought Alvarez. Yet Alvarez dominated his fellow Mexican in his first fight since losing to Floyd Mayweather. He outboxed Angulo for nine rounds and then stopped him in Round 10. … Some of Alvarez’s handlers didn’t want him to fight Lara, a tricky Cuban southpaw who could make anyone look bad. And that’s how it played out. Alvarez had to scrape and claw to eke out a split-decision victory that many believe was a gift from two of the three judges.
2020
Record: 1-0 Opponent: Callum Smith (UD) Background: Alvarez fought only once in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but made the most the 168-pound title-unification bout. Smith was a legitimate opponent on paper, tall, skillful, experienced. He was an underdog but some believes he could be competitive against Alvarez. He wasn’t. Alvarez had his way with the Englishman in part because the latter didn’t have the power to knock Alvarez off his game, the result being a one-sided decision in a one-sided fight. The victory gave Alvarez two of the four major super middleweight titles, after which he set his sights on the last two.
2016
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Amir Khan (KO 6) and Liam Smith (KO 9) Background: Alvarez’s knockout of Khan rivals his stoppage of James Kirkland. Khan, a quick, capable boxer who had moved up from 147 pounds to a catch weight of 155, held his own for five-plus rounds and then BAM! A right hand from hell put Khan down and removed him from his senses. … The Smith fight was as much about the crowd size and venue – 50,000-plus at the home of the Dallas Cowboys – as the opponent. Smith, the brother of Callum Smith, was a solid all-around fighter but had no where near Alvarez’s ability. The Englishman was overwhelmed in the end.
2012
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Shane Mosley (UD) and Josesito Lopez (TKO 5) Background: Mosley, 40, was well past his prime when he met Alvarez but the fight was important for the rising star because Sugar Shane was the first major figure on his resume. And he didn’t disappoint, even at 21 years old. The younger, faster man outboxed his overmatched elder from beginning to end to win by a near-shutout decision. Taking down a future Hall of Famer is a significant step in any fighter’s career. … Lopez was and remains a gutsy warrior but he was too small for Alvarez, who put him down three times in a one-sided junior middleweight fight.
2011
Record: 4-0 Opponents: Matthew Hatton (UD), Ryan Rhodes (TKO 12), Alfonso Gomez (TKO 6), Kermit Cintron (TKO 5) Background: One could argue that the limited Matthew Hatton. Ricky’s brother, didn’t have the credentials to be fighting for a major belt. However, the fact is he and Alvarez met for the junior middleweight title vacated by Manny Pacquiao. And it wasn’t much of a fight. Alvarez, levels above Hatton, would’ve won every round on all three cards had he not lost a point for hitting after the break in Round 7. He had won the first of eight titles at the tender age of 20. Rhodes, Gomez and Cintron were all solid fighters carefully selected to help Alvarez develop into one of the best fighters in the business.
2010
Record: 5-0 Opponents: Brian Camechis (KO 3), Jose Cotto (TKO 9), Luciano Cuello (TKO 6), Carlos Baldomir (KO 6) and Lovemore Ndou (UD 12) Background: 2010 was most notable because it was the year in which Alvarez fought on a major U.S. card for the first time. The 19-year-old redhead from Guadalajara stopped Jose Cotto, Miguel’s brother, in the ninth round on the Mayweather-Mosley card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Cotto hurt Alvarez with a left hook in Round 1 but the teenager battled through it and ended up winning by knockout. Camechis, Cuello, Baldomir and Ndou didn’t give the evolving young star much resistance, which was a pattern that would continue when Alvarez faced second-tier opposition.
2017
Record: 1-0-1 Opponents: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (UD) and Gennadiy Golovkin (SD D) Background: A showdown between Alvarez and Chavez had been discussed for years. When it finally happened, it wasn’t much of a fight. Alvarez outclassed (embarrassed?) the son of a Mexican legend, winning every round on all three cards. … The first fight between Alvarez and Triple-G was the ultimate middleweight matchup, between a long-reigning knockout artist (Golovkin) and a rising superstar (Alvarez). The Kazakhstani used effective aggression to win over most observers in a competitive fight but he had to settle for a controversial draw. Indeed, Alvarez was fortunate he didn’t leave the ring with his second loss.
2013
Record: 1-1 Opponents: Austin Trout (UD) and Floyd Mayweather (UD L) Background: The 22-year-old Alvarez took a significant risk when he decided to fight the skillful Trout, who was left-handed, unbeaten and coming off a defining victory over Miguel Cotto. The gamble paid off. In his finest performance to date, he outboxed Trout to win a clear decision. … The decision to fight Mayweather was even bolder. And it didn’t pay off, at least in terms of results. The pound-for-pound king schooled the upstart, who didn’t have the tools to compete with a boxing wizard like Mayweather. The good news for him is that the setback sharpened his resolve to get better. He did.
Special report: Ranking Canelo Alvarez’s calendar years in boxing, best to worst.
Canelo Alvarez has known almost nothing but success over the past decade-plus.
The Mexican star has beaten one ranked fighter after another, won major titles in four divisions and is on the cusp of becoming an undisputed champion for the first time. Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) faces Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) for all four major super middleweight belts in a pay-per-view bout Saturday from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
In this special feature, we take a look at Alvarez’s performances year by calendar year and then rank those years – best to worst – beginning in 2010, when he was introduced to American audiences on a significant scale.
The current year is not including because it hinges on Saturday’s fight. If he wins, it will be among his best years. If he loses, it will be down the list.
Here is what we came up with:
2019
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Daniel Jacobs (UD) and Sergey Kovalev (KO 11) Background: The victory over Jacobs seems to fly under the radar but it was impressive. Jacobs was talented, polished, a big middleweight and at the top of his game when he met Alvarez in a title-unification bout. And the Mexican was up to the challenge, outboxing Jacobs to win a unanimous decision in a competitive fight. … Six months later he made a bold move by deciding to move up to light heavyweight to challenge beltholder Kovalev, who was somewhat past his prime but still dangerous and bigger than Alvarez. The Russian fought Alvarez on roughly even terms until the challenger dropped the hammer in Round 11. Two big fights, two big victories.
2018
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Gennadiy Golovkin (MD) and Rocky Fielding (TKO 3) Background: The victory over Triple-G in their rematch was arguably the greatest of Alvarez’s career. The two best 160-pounders in the world had fought to a disputed draw a year earlier and there was every reason to believe the second fight would be just as close and perhaps disputed. It was, as both men held their own. However, unlike the first meeting, Alvarez pushed the action much of the fight and was rewarded for that on two of three cards. Golovkin was unbeaten and had made a record-tying 20 successful defenses going into the fight. … Throw out the Fielding fight. That was a secondary 168-pound title grab against a second-tier opponent.
2015
Record: 2-0 Opponents: James Kirkland (KO 3) and Miguel Cotto (UD) Background: The victory over the wildly aggressive Kirkland wasn’t as meaningful many other Alvarez triumphs because of the Texan’s limitations. However, Alvarez’s brutal knockout might’ve been the most breathtaking of his 38 stoppages, which added considerably to his growing star power. … Cotto, 35, was past his prime and a smallish 154-pounder but his unquestioned ability and experience made him a threat to Alvarez, at least on paper. In the end, the slick Puerto Rican did give Alvarez some difficulty but he ended up on the wrong end of a clear decision.
2014
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Alfredo Angulo (TKO 10) and Erislandy Lara (SD) Background: Some might forget that Angulo was a solid, durable boxer who was coming off a strong performance in a loss to the respected Lara when he fought Alvarez. Yet Alvarez dominated his fellow Mexican in his first fight since losing to Floyd Mayweather. He outboxed Angulo for nine rounds and then stopped him in Round 10. … Some of Alvarez’s handlers didn’t want him to fight Lara, a tricky Cuban southpaw who could make anyone look bad. And that’s how it played out. Alvarez had to scrape and claw to eke out a split-decision victory that many believe was a gift from two of the three judges.
2020
Record: 1-0 Opponent: Callum Smith (UD) Background: Alvarez fought only once in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but made the most the 168-pound title-unification bout. Smith was a legitimate opponent on paper, tall, skillful, experienced. He was an underdog but some believes he could be competitive against Alvarez. He wasn’t. Alvarez had his way with the Englishman in part because the latter didn’t have the power to knock Alvarez off his game, the result being a one-sided decision in a one-sided fight. The victory gave Alvarez two of the four major super middleweight titles, after which he set his sights on the last two.
2016
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Amir Khan (KO 6) and Liam Smith (KO 9) Background: Alvarez’s knockout of Khan rivals his stoppage of James Kirkland. Khan, a quick, capable boxer who had moved up from 147 pounds to a catch weight of 155, held his own for five-plus rounds and then BAM! A right hand from hell put Khan down and removed him from his senses. … The Smith fight was as much about the crowd size and venue – 50,000-plus at the home of the Dallas Cowboys – as the opponent. Smith, the brother of Callum Smith, was a solid all-around fighter but had no where near Alvarez’s ability. The Englishman was overwhelmed in the end.
2012
Record: 2-0 Opponents: Shane Mosley (UD) and Josesito Lopez (TKO 5) Background: Mosley, 40, was well past his prime when he met Alvarez but the fight was important for the rising star because Sugar Shane was the first major figure on his resume. And he didn’t disappoint, even at 21 years old. The younger, faster man outboxed his overmatched elder from beginning to end to win by a near-shutout decision. Taking down a future Hall of Famer is a significant step in any fighter’s career. … Lopez was and remains a gutsy warrior but he was too small for Alvarez, who put him down three times in a one-sided junior middleweight fight.
2011
Record: 4-0 Opponents: Matthew Hatton (UD), Ryan Rhodes (TKO 12), Alfonso Gomez (TKO 6), Kermit Cintron (TKO 5) Background: One could argue that the limited Matthew Hatton. Ricky’s brother, didn’t have the credentials to be fighting for a major belt. However, the fact is he and Alvarez met for the junior middleweight title vacated by Manny Pacquiao. And it wasn’t much of a fight. Alvarez, levels above Hatton, would’ve won every round on all three cards had he not lost a point for hitting after the break in Round 7. He had won the first of eight titles at the tender age of 20. Rhodes, Gomez and Cintron were all solid fighters carefully selected to help Alvarez develop into one of the best fighters in the business.
2010
Record: 5-0 Opponents: Brian Camechis (KO 3), Jose Cotto (TKO 9), Luciano Cuello (TKO 6), Carlos Baldomir (KO 6) and Lovemore Ndou (UD 12) Background: 2010 was most notable because it was the year in which Alvarez fought on a major U.S. card for the first time. The 19-year-old redhead from Guadalajara stopped Jose Cotto, Miguel’s brother, in the ninth round on the Mayweather-Mosley card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Cotto hurt Alvarez with a left hook in Round 1 but the teenager battled through it and ended up winning by knockout. Camechis, Cuello, Baldomir and Ndou didn’t give the evolving young star much resistance, which was a pattern that would continue when Alvarez faced second-tier opposition.
2017
Record: 1-0-1 Opponents: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (UD) and Gennadiy Golovkin (SD D) Background: A showdown between Alvarez and Chavez had been discussed for years. When it finally happened, it wasn’t much of a fight. Alvarez outclassed (embarrassed?) the son of a Mexican legend, winning every round on all three cards. … The first fight between Alvarez and Triple-G was the ultimate middleweight matchup, between a long-reigning knockout artist (Golovkin) and a rising superstar (Alvarez). The Kazakhstani used effective aggression to win over most observers in a competitive fight but he had to settle for a controversial draw. Indeed, Alvarez was fortunate he didn’t leave the ring with his second loss.
2013
Record: 1-1 Opponents: Austin Trout (UD) and Floyd Mayweather (UD L) Background: The 22-year-old Alvarez took a significant risk when he decided to fight the skillful Trout, who was left-handed, unbeaten and coming off a defining victory over Miguel Cotto. The gamble paid off. In his finest performance to date, he outboxed Trout to win a clear decision. … The decision to fight Mayweather was even bolder. And it didn’t pay off, at least in terms of results. The pound-for-pound king schooled the upstart, who didn’t have the tools to compete with a boxing wizard like Mayweather. The good news for him is that the setback sharpened his resolve to get better. He did.
