CANELO ALVAREZ conjured up a brutal 11th round KO to unify the super-middleweight division and beat Caleb Plant.
The Mexican superstar was given a tough night, but ultimately his class prevailed as he dodged the Plant jab all evening before landing the killer blow.
Canelo said after his triumph: “My respect for Caleb Plant. He’s a terrific fighter with a lot of ability.
“We’re men at the end. He wanted to still fight me, he wanted to still continue. And there’s no shame, we had a great fight today.
“But of course, we came out on top.”
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MUTUAL RESPECT
Kamara Usman and Colby Covington were mocked by the referee after embracing at the end of their five-round war at UFC 268.
Usman and Covington exchanged words of encouragement to one another inside the octagon, before referee Dan Miragliotta praised them for their sportsmanship.
The ref said: “Ahh, I like that. Good job gentlemen. Much respect, much respect.”
The two fighters then came together once more and hugged out their animosity, receiving a round of applause from the Madison Square Garden crowd in the process.
This time, however, Miragliotta could not help making fun of the pair’s decision to embrace in the ring.
He added: “Alright go kiss later. Go back to your corners! Go.”
PLANT WELL
Caleb Plant was praised for his valiant effort against Canelo Alvarez despite losing the clash by a bunch of fighters.
Danny Garcia said: “Congrats to Canelo, he closed the show like a true champ. Respect to Plant.”
Joseph Diaz added: “What a fight, Canelo always closes! Respect to both fighters. Plant put on a great fight.
“We’re witnessing true greatness what Canelo is doing in his career.”
And Jamel Herring chipped in saying: “Shout out to my guy @SweetHandsPlant for putting up a good effort.”
NOT A WHITE IDEA
UFC boss Dana White has warned Kamaru Usman to stay away from Canelo Alvarez.
Both fighters won their fights last night in their different categories with Usman beating Covington in the UFC, and Alvarez disposing of Plant in the boxing ring.
Usman’s been flirting with the idea to take on Alvarez in a cross-sport bout to cement his legacy, but after watching both fights, White doesn’t think that would be a good idea.
He said: “I watched the Canelo fight tonight.
“He [Usman] don’t want to fight Canelo, he don’t want to fight Canelo. Come on, man. Let’s stop this s**t. If Canelo wants to come over here, awesome fight.
“Those two put on an incredible performance (tonight).”
CANELO’S THE BEST
Canelo Alvarez has been labelled the best boxer in the world at the moment after his win over Caleb Plant.
The praise was led by Manny Pacquiao who said: “Congratulations to the pound-for-pound king, Canelo, on making boxing history as the first undisputed super middleweight champion ever.
“Plant put up a great fight but Canelo is just too good. Boxing is in great hands”‘
Devin Haney, who takes on Joseph Diaz next, also chimed in, stating: “Canelo is the best mf fighter in the world! Period.”
YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul also added to the mix, jokingly stating that he is thinking of signing Canelo to his Most Valuable Promotions label.
PLANT APOLOGY
Canelo Alvarez revealed that Caleb Plant apologised to him after their fight last night.
Things had got heated in the lead-up to their bout which ended in and Alvarez win, but after the slug-fest, Plant let Alvarez know that he meant no harm.
Speaking after his win, Alvarez said: “He told me after the fight that he wanted to keep fighting, that he wanted to continue.
“And he also apologised to me and said what he said about my mother, he didn’t really mean it and that he was truly sorry for that.
“I told him: ‘Look, it’s ok, it is water under the bridge.’
“I told him he is a great man and I told him one day I hope he has a great family as well. I only wish the best for him.”
WHITE’S ALL RIGHT
Dana White won a staggering $100,000 (£74k) bet after Canelo Alvarez’s stunning KO of Caleb Plant, writes TOBY GANNON.
The UFC chief – who oversaw a stacked card in which Kamaru Usman beat Colby Covington – placed the huge wager on the P4P king before their super-middleweight undisputed world title fight in Las Vegas.
And it was quids in for White, who walked away with $41k (£30k) after backing the Mexican to win by knock-out.
Canelo, 31, struggled throughout the fight but sent Plant crashing to the canvas in the 11th round.
He is now the first-ever undisputed super-middleweight champion in history – and has banked at least £30m for his troubles.
And White is a whole lot richer for it, too.
The 52-year-old – who watched the fight on TV while sitting in the front row at UFC 268 – admits he is a ‘degenerate’ gambler having lost a $1MILLION (£741k) boxing bet in 2007.
APOLOGY
Caleb Plant apologised to Canelo for insulting his mum.
The American did so during their post-fight embrace – Canelo told him: “We are men, everything is OK – we keep going.”
KING CANELO
Canelo is the undisputed super middleweight champion. One of the greats!
CANELO RETURN
Canelo says he plans to have a rest now after four fights in 10 and a half months.
And the Mexican star says he will be back in action in May to rest his body.
Cinco de Mayo weekend?
Credit: AP
TYSON CONFIRMS FEB DATE
Mike Tyson took his seat for the undisputed blockbuster between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant – and CONFIRMED he will box again in February.
Iron Mike was a fixture in Fight Week for the super-middleweight scrap, so it was no surprise to see him ringside in Las Vegas.
While being interviewed by Showtime, the 55-year-old said: “God willing I’ll fight again in February.”
SunSport exclusively revealed that was the former heavyweight champion’s plan – and he wants a ‘really stimulating opponent’.
And in an exclusive interview with The Sun, Iron Mike opened up about who he could fight next, amid claims it could be either Logan or Jake Paul.
CANELO VS USMAN?
UFC star Kamaru Usman retained his welterweight strap tonight against Colby Covington.
And UFC chief Dana White has spoken about a potential super-fight in the future…
White said on Usman vs Canelo: “I watched the Canelo fight tonight. He don’t want to fight Canelo.
“He don’t want to fight Canelo. Come on, man. Let’s stop this s***. If Canelo wants to come over here, let’s do it.
“He don’t wanna box Canelo.”
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Canelo reveals he will return in May, to allow his body to rest.
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
The King.
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Even UFC president Dana White could not help but tune in to catch a glimpse of greatness.
White was pictured with Canelo Alvarez’s fight against Caleb Plant on his TV monitor.
It was during Rose Namajunas’ UFC 268 title win over Weili Zhang at Madison Square Garden.
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Caleb Plant going to a local hospital in Las Vegas for observation after being knocked out in the 11th-round against Canelo Alvarez.
Per a PBC spokesperson, reported by ESPN.
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Newly retired Manny Pacquiao was quick to praise and congratulate Canelo on his KO of Caleb Plant.
Pacquiao tweeted: “Congratulations to the pound for pound king, @canelo, on making boxing history as the first undisputed super middleweight champion ever.
“Plant put up a great fight but Canelo is just too good. Boxing is in great hands.”
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Here is the finish in full.
A left hook had Plant wobbled, Canelo followed it up with a right hook and left hand.
Plant made it to his feet but Alvarez swarmed him and landed a string of shots to put the American down before the ref waved it off.
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Canelo adds: “My respect for Caleb Plant. He’s a terrific fighter with a lot of ability.
“We’re men at the end. He wanted to still fight me, he wanted to still continue. And there’s no shame, we had a great fight today.
“But of course, we came out on top.”
Credit: AP CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Canelo poses with his undisputed WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO super-middleweight titles.
He says in the ring: “I want to thank everyone here toight. It hasn’t been easy to get to this point.
“But with your support, my family, my team, we’ve got really far. This is for everybody, especially in Mexico.”
Credit: AP CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT
Two knockdowns in round 11 and Canelo Alvarez is declared the winner
Massive effort from Plant, who won some of the opening rounds but pressure proved too much.
Plant was wobbled with a left hook and right uppercut combination with a left hand for good measure on the end. Made it to his feet on unsteady legs.
Canelo, a fearsome finisher, smelt blood and rushed Plant, letting his hands go and punching his opponent into the ropes.
It was then the referee rightfully waved it off.
Credit: AP CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT – ROUND 11
AND IT’S OVER!
Canelo relentlessly chased Plant, lands some big blows and send him into the ropes.
Unclear yet if it was the ref or the corner who stopped the fight, but Canelo has won in round 11.
Credit: Getty
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT – ROUND 11
DOWN GOES PLANT!
Left hook wobbles Plant, Canelo follows it up and the American sinks to the floor.
Here comes Canelo!
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT – ROUND 10
Plant forced to raise his hands as he trades shots in close with Canelo, who is banging left hooks to head and body.
Canelo targeting the body again – which has for sure slowed Plant down in the last few rounds.
Alvarez ends the round on top and is nearing a points win here.
CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT – ROUND 9
Canelo has Plant pinned up but the American shells up, with Alvarez bashing his body and arms.
Nice right uppercut and roll out from Plant, his best shot in a while.
Plant lands a bust of punches at the end of the round and might have nicked it there – despite Canelo’s aggression and pressure fighting.
Credit: Getty CANELO ALVAREZ VS CALEB PLANT – ROUND 8
Canelo lets his hands go but Plant comes back with his own work, exactly what he needs to do.
Big left hook lands for Canelo with Plant against the ropes but the American takes the shot well.
Alvarez is marching Plant down, but is having his shots blocked or bouncing off the target, which still may appeal to the judges.
Credit: AP
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
