Mexican pound-for-pound boxing champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez ended the longest layoff of his career on Saturday, capturing two world super middleweight titles by beating previously undefeated Briton Callum Smith with a unanimous decision victory. The three-division champion, fighting for the first time in 13 months, claimed the vacant World Boxing Council title and its World Boxing Association equivalent despite moving up in weight class for the bout in front of a restricted crowd at the Alamodome.
Canelo Alvarez had a simple explanation for his ability to dominate a previously undefeated champion and emerge unscathed against an opponent that physically towered over him.
“I am better,” Alvarez said. “Because I’m better and I have many abilities. I make them think about what they are going to throw and simply because I’m better.”
Two judges scored the bout 119-109 and the third had it 117-111.
Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) dominated his only bout this year, repeatedly hitting Smith (27-1, 19 KOs) with straight rights and right hooks to the head and punishing his upper arms over 12 rounds.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said doctors believe Smith tore his left bicep or triceps muscle. There was a noticeable protrusion coming from the bottom of Smith’s arm beginning in the fourth round from Alvarez’s repeated blows.
Alvarez previously knocked out Callum’s older brother, Liam, on Sept. 17, 2106, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Many speculated Callum wanted revenge for the ninth-round knockout, but Alvarez dominated the younger Smith, too.
At 5-foot-8, Alvarez was the aggressor against the 6-foot-3 Smith.
“Like I said, (the size difference) doesn’t matter to me,” Alvarez said. “My boxing experience is what matters. If they are taller, shorter, that doesn’t matter, my experience is what gives me the ability to fight anyone.”
Alvarez controlled the fight, continually pressing forward and only taking a step back to evade one of the numerous punches that Smith missed.
Alvarez threw 494 total punches, landing 43% of them compared to just 18% of 539 punches thrown by Smith.
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