Brutal Canelo dethrones Smith

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez seized the WBO world super-welterweight title with a spectacular ninth-round stoppage of the valiant Liam Smith.

The Liverpudlian (23-1-1-KO13) was knocked down three times on his way to a first career loss as Alvarez (48-1-1-KO34) shone in his first world title fight at 154lbs since the points defeat to Floyd Mayweather almost exactly three years ago.

In front of a crowd of over 50,000 at the AT&T Arena in Texas, Smith entered the ring first despite his status as the incumbent. Alvarez’s huge popularity was evident as the huge crowd rose to salute his arrival to blaring mariachi music.

The red-headed Mexican looked much the sharper in the opener; immediately adding swift straight rights to his superior jab and making the champion fall short with the minimal counter punches coming back.

Smith began the second tucked up tightly and his attempts to emerge from his shell were discouraged by some flowing combinations from the challenger – but a small cut by Alvarez’s left eye provided the first glimmer of hope for ‘Beefy.’

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