In The Corner: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Billy Joe Saunders Fight For Super Middleweight Supremacy

(Al Bello/Getty Images)

Arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, is set to make his triumphant return to the ring. Alvarez last fought in February, earning a knockout win against Avni Yildrim. This time around, his competition will be a bit stiffer. His latest opponent, Billy Joe Saunders, enters the ring with a professional record of 30 wins and zero losses. Along the way, he beat named opponents like Chris Eubank Jr., Willie Monroe, David Lemieux and Martin Murray. Despite his experience against named opponents, Saunders enters the ring as a heavy underdog. Many believe that Alvarez’s power and boxing ability will be too much for him to overcome. In the face of doubters, Saunders believes he will prevail. Only time will tell.

Frank Sanchez vs. Nagy Aguilera

Division: Heavyweight

Betting Odds: Sanchez (-10000) | Aguilera (+1200)

Ryan’s Scorecard: 60-54 for Sanchez

Result: Sanchez def. Aguilera (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)

Fight night is underway and things are off to a bumpy start. Through six rounds, it appeared that heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez was cruising to a victory. While he left a lot to be desired with his execution and desire to go to the body, it appeared that he was winning every round. Then, Sanchez landed a blow to the head that seemingly went around Nagy Aguilera’s guard and off his shoulder. Aguilera backpedaled for a moment before going down. He claimed that he was hit hard in the back of the head. Commentators and fans seemingly disagreed with him. From there, the referee sent things to the scorecards where Sanchez earned a unanimous decision win.

Kieron Conway vs. Souleymane Cissokho

Division: Super Welterweight

Betting Odds: Conway (+270) | Cissokho (-400)

Ryan’s Scorecard: 97-92 for Cissokho

Result: Cissokho def. Conway (92-97, 96-93, 95-94)

Cissokho controlled the majority of the fight with his long jab and ability to hurt Conway when he came inside. Much like Sanchez in the first bout, Cissokho was seemingly in cruise control when things took a turn. Early in the ninth round, Kieron Conway dropped Cissokho with a double uppercut in the middle of his eye. Cissokho beat the count, but Conway poured on the pressure. However, he was unable to put him down for the count. Cissokho bounced back in the tenth round and finished the fight to earn a split decision.

Elwin Soto vs. Katsunari Takayama

Division: Light Flyweight

Betting Odds: Soto (-1667) | Takayama (+675)

Ryan’s Scorecard: 79-73 for Soto

Result: Soto def. Takayama (9th Round, TKO)

Elwin Soto was able to defend his 108-pound title by landing power shots throughout the fight. Towards the end of the first three rounds, it appeared that Takayama was on the way out. However, he was able to dig deep and keep going.  Towards the end of the fight, it appeared that he was making a bit of a comeback, but the referee decided that Takayama had taken too much punishment.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders

Division: Super Middleweight

Betting Odds: Alvarez (-770) | Saunders (+450)

Ryan’s Scorecard: 77-76 for Alvarez

Result: Alvarez def. Saunders (8th Round, TKO)

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has secured the WBO Super Middleweight Title. Alvarez was able to get off to a good start by landing strong shots to the body that earned Saunders’ respect. However, things began to shift in the fourth round when Saunders settled into the fight. The former champion began letting his hands go and moving around with his hands down. Unfortunately, he left himself open to uppercuts from Alvarez. More importantly, Alvarez didn’t respect everything that was coming back on the other end.

 

 

 

 

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