Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez knocked out Billy Jou Saunders, who no longer left for the round due to a right eye injury, Saturday night in Dallas, where more than 70, 000 viewers.
The British had dominated rounds 5 and 6 and then in the seventh no fighter dropped many blows, but the power of the Mexican defined the battle in the eighth by hurting him with a blow that found the British head with an uppercut when he tried to duck .
The uppercut that secured Canelo the victory 💥
( @ Autozone ) pic.twitter.com/mkWlSzLFm0
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 9, 2021
Billy Joe Saunders’ eye 😬 pic.twitter.com/fAUPdQ8v0z
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 9, 2021
Round 8 was not over, but Canelo was already beginning to celebrate his new triumph and he conquered the super middleweight title of the OMB that was in the power of the European.
“I think I broke his cheekbone ”, said Canelo in the interview in the ring, after a surprising end of the fight considering the trajectory of the fight.
CANELO MEANS BUSINESS. 😤 pic.twitter.com/cH2Y37 vEK3
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 9, 1200
In the fifth round, the southpaw Saunders hit Canelo with a right jab that shook his head . Moments later he cheered up and hit him hard with his right. The British dominated the round to make the fight interesting.
And Saunders confirmed his good rally with an effective round 6 in which he looked very confident and even stuck out his tongue as his compatriot Tyson Fury usually does, who was in his corner.
Canelo connected Saunders with an uppercut late in the fourth round and the Briton admitted it with a gesture. It had been an acceptable round for him, but he still seemed to lose it like the first three.
Saunders started the fight by throwing jabs with his left-handed guard and showing his very good mobility, with Canelo landing a strong blow to the European’s chest.
Canelo’s head movement is already on point 💨 pic.twitter.com/snsNewb6YE
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 9, 1200
Then in the second round, the Mexican, to whom Óscar de la Hoya sent a message a few hours before , began to connect with his right, putting pressure on his rival, who managed to avoid some uppercut attempts.
Saunders did a better job in the third round breaking away from Álvarez, but he landed the best shot in the ring: a right to the head that left the British immobile for a few moments.
IT’S TIME 🔥🔥🔥 Canelo w 8 rundzie. # CanelovsSaunders pic.twitter.com/fDIOkYAlzm
– Łukasz Kwiatkowski (@TheLuke 122to) May 9, 2021
Canelo walked from the dressing room to the ring while Pepe Aguilar and Ángela Aguilar performed classical music as a duo ranchera like “México Lindo y Querido” and “El Rey” accompanied by a colorful dance scene that turned the fans on.
All this after Saunders was already in the ring , to which he went at a slow pace enjoying the previous moments of the biggest fight of his career.
Billy Joe Saunders is dancing and soaking it all in 🇬🇧 # CaneloSaunders pic.twitter.com/8m4IBhyboR
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 9, 2021
The three national anthems (United Kingdom, Mexico and United States) had already been performed. Once again, Angela Aguilar took over the Mexican anthem.
What an amazing crowd at. @ ATTStadium
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Absolutely electric for # CanelovsSaunders pic.twitter.com/vTpgdqQgzz– Jeremy Elliott (@UFMANiagara) May 9, 2021
The attendance at the stadium was impressive long before the main event. It was the sporting event with the most fans present since the beginning of the pandemic with 73, 126, a figure that becomes record for a boxing match indoors.
Not a mask in sight. Full stadium, everyone having a great time. Live your life, I highly recommend it Texas baby! # CaneloVsSaunders pic.twitter .com / LH3squn2GA
– GS 🇺🇸 (@HandlingBizness) May 9, 2021
It’s quite surreal to see a crowd like that live again 😳 # CaneloSaunders #CanelovsSaunders pic.twitter.com/p1iTTabLMW
– Iron Chin Boxing (@IronChinBoxing) May 9, 2021