LAS VEGAS – At 33, and fully healthy for the first time in two years, Canelo Alvarez reminded boxing fans on Saturday why he still belongs among the pound-for-pound best in the world.
Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) systematically dominated a timid and overwhelmed Jermell Charlo en route to a wide unanimous decision in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card from T-Mobile Arena. The Mexican icon took home judges’ scores of 119-108 and 118-109 (twice) to defend his undisputed super middleweight championship.
In the first meeting between defending undisputed four-belt champions in men’s boxing history, Alvarez battered the arms and shoulders of the smaller Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), whose four-pack of 154-pound titles were not at stake in this 168-pound match. Alvarez also cut off the ring at will to consistently overwhelm the output of his opponent.
“Nobody can beat this Canelo,” Alvarez said.
Charlo, who is two months older than Alvarez at 33, was never able to get out of first gear. His jab was non-existent for most of the bout and he was never able to bother or slow Alvarez down with his power shots in the second half.
Alvarez outlanded Charlo by a margin of 134 to 71, according to CompuBox. He landed 35% of his punches overall and 40% of his power connects, including a 42 to 11 advantage in body shots.
“I don’t make excuses for myself so it is what it is,” Charlo said. “I took my punches but this is boxing. You win some and you lose some.
“You could feel the difference in weight because I came up 12 pounds. I was daring to be great today. I took the shots and just kept pushing.”
Alvarez put his stamp on the fight with a delayed knockdown in Round 7 as he backed Charlo up to the ropes and landed a looping right through his high guard. After taking a second to absorb the shot, Charlo took a voluntary knee.
“We worked on the body because he’s a great fighter and knows how to move around the ring,” Alvarez said. “We trained for three months in the mountains without my family or anything because I just love boxing so f—ing much. Boxing is my life and boxing has made me the best in the game today.
“I needed 12 rounds to show that I am the best and to show who is better.”
Despite the cries from Charlo’s corner in the final rounds to go for the knockout, he was never able to create enough of a threat to break through.
“I hit him with some hard shots,” Charlo said. “I got him off of me.”
Alvarez shook off any notion that age and mileage had kept up with him after a three-fight stretch in which he looked human. Alvarez blamed the performances, in which he faded late despite winning two of three, on a nagging left wrist injury which prevented him from training at full strength.
After the fight, Alvarez declared his intentions of returning to the ring next May but decided against declaring a targeted opponent despite the ringside presence of undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford, who had been campaigning to face the winner.
“Cinco de Mayo [weekend],” Alvarez said. “Whoever, I don’t care. I don’t f—ing care.”
Despite the loss, Charlo said he would move back down to 154 pounds, where he remains the undisputed champion, and wasn’t shy to invite Crawford to a future fight.
“[F—] that, I could fight Terence Crawford,” Charlo said. “Let him fight Errol Spence and get that out of the way. I’m waiting.”
Alvarez became the first four-belt undisputed champion to defend his titles three times.
CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday with the live results and highlights below.
Fight card, resultsCanelo Alvarez (c) def. Jermell Charlo via unanimous decision (119-108, 118-109,
Live update
Official result: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez def. Jermell Charlo via unanimous decision (118-109, 118-109, 119-108)
Saul Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo — Round 12: Charlo landed a good jab and then a lead hook that connected cleanly. A good right landed for Alvarez as he backed Charlo away. Charlo continued to throw one punch at a time while Alvarez landed the cleaner shots. Late in the round, Charlo landed a good hook but Alvarez took it fine. Charlo continued to open up with his strikes late but he simply gave away too many rounds and had no chance of winning on the cards. Alvarez landed a good right hand late and again forced Charlo backward. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Charlo (119-108 Alvarez)
Saul Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo — Round 11: Charlo allowed himself to be forced into the ropes again where he ate a body shot. Charlo did a nice job of grabbing to get off the ropes but it was still Alvarez who did the better work. Charlo landed a good hook but ate a straight right in return. Tight round but Alvarez again got the better of the action. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Alvarez (110-98)
Brent Brookhouse
Oct 1, 2023 at 12:47 am ET
Saul Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo — Round 10: Alvarez again got on the front foot and forced Charlo backward, landing good straights and an uppercut in the opening minute of the round. An Alvarez jab and body shot followed as Charlo looked increasingly lost in the fight. Charlo missed three punches as Alvarez got in with another hook to the body. Alvarez dug to the body with another hook but Charlo responded with a few jabs. Charlo is competing but he is not winning rounds. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Alvarez (100-89)
Brent Brookhouse
Oct 1, 2023 at 12:44 am ET
Saul Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo — Round 9: Alvarez is dominating the punch stats with more than twice the amount of landed punches to Charlo. Charlo tried to fire a left hook but it didn’t land. Alvarez landed a good left to the body but Charlo landed a left hook to the body. Alvarez landed an uppecut to Charlo’s body and then a right hand to the chin. Alvarez continued to press forward as Charlo landed a few left hooks but again had his back hit the ropes. Alvarez landed a good three-punch combination late as he continued to just do the better work round after round. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Alvarez (90-80)
Brent Brookhouse
Oct 1, 2023 at 12:39 am ET
Canelo again takes Round 8 with his overwhelming pressure and volume of punches as Charlo continues to look for answers. He’s landing punches, just not with the volume or power that his opponent is. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Alvarez (80-71)
