WBA, WBC, and WBO World super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez successfully defended his title, easily defeating previously unbeaten Edgar Berlanga by a 12-round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In the co-feature, WBA World middleweight champion Erislandy Lara defeated former 140 and 147-lb champion Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia by a ninth-round TKO.
In the main event, Canelo (62-2-2, 39 KOs) won a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision over Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs).
There was little action in the first two rounds, with Alvarez winning both. In the third round, a Canelo left hook on the chin dropped Berlanga for an 8-count from referee Harvey Dock. He managed to get up and fight his way back to the bell.
In the fourth round, Berlanga came back using an effective jab, taking the round. Canelo failed to pick up where he left off in the previous round after dropping Berlanga.
In the fifth round, again, Berlanga did enough with his jab to keep Canelo from mounting any offense. In the sixth round, Berlanga had another good round using his jab, with Canelo’s face showing puffiness under both eyes.
In the seventh round, Canelo came back with a jab of his own, out-landing Berlanga. In the eighth round’s final minute, Berlanga slipped hard to the canvas, having a problem getting to his feet.
Berlanga warned for using his head. In the ninth round, Canelo continued outworking Berlanga. In the tenth round, Canelo had his way driving Berlanga back.
A right on the chin in the final seconds hurt Berlanga. Berlanga came back, landing a jab, and Canelo walked toward a corner when referee Dock came in when the boxers were having words.
In the eleventh round, Canelo worked and out-punched Berlanga, who may have hurt his right hand. In the twelfth and final round
In the eleventh round, Canelo continued driving Berlanga around, taking the round. In the twelfth and final round, after coming out of a clinch, Berlanga looked to his corner, who encouraged him to throw punches. He did the rest of the round, which ended with the most action of the fight, with both mixing it up.
Scores were 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109.
In the chief support bout, two-division world champion and current WBA World middleweight champion Lara (32-3-3, 20 KOs) stopped former WBC and WBA Light welterweight champ, WBC Welter champ Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia (37-4, 21 KOs) after dropping him in the ninth Garcia failed to come out for the tenth round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
There was little action in the first four rounds. In the third round, Garcia received a small cut on his left eyelid due to a clash of heads. The fans have been restless, waiting for something to happen in this one.
In the fifth round, it seems Garcia moved up to a heavier weight, and it showed. On the other hand, Lara isn’t doing much more. In the sixth round’s final minute, Garcia started landing rights to Lara’s chin, but not enough to take the round.
In the seventh round, Lare took another round due to a strong finish. In the eighth round, Garcia did enough to take his first round. In the ninth round, Garcia was knocked down for an 8-count by referee Thomas Taylor. At the end of the round, Garcia’s corner called a halt.
Former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant (23-2, 14 KOs) came off the canvas earlier and stopped previously unbeaten Trevor McCumby (28-1, 21 KOs) at 2:59 of the ninth round of a scheduled 12 rounds to win the WBA 168-lb interim title.
In the first round, Plant returned after 18 months of a loss and did well. In the second round, Plant hurt McCumby early. McCumby came back well, but Plant took the round.
In the third round, McCumby threw Plant to the canvas, getting a warning from referee Alan Huggins. McCumby had a good round, out-punching Plant. In the fourth round, a left hook from McCumby dropped Plant for an 8-count from referee Huggins.
In the fifth round Plant had McCumby pinned in a corner working him over as the bell sounded and they had words. In the sixth round Plant started showboating in a close round that he took.
In the seventh round, McCumby had his best round, which was an action round. Plant had an edge in the eighth round, but McCumby had his moments. In the ninth round, Plant cut McCumby’s right eyebrow, working him over against the ropes and landing a dozen unanswered punches, forcing referee Huggins to wave it off.
Former WBA World light welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) defeated Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1-1, 11 KOs) by a ten-round unanimous decision.
In the first two rounds, there was little action. In the third, Romero hurt Jaimes with a right to the chin. Romero did enough to take the third and fourth rounds.
In the sixth and seventh rounds, Romero had a slight edge. In the eighth round, Romero got hurt by a Jaimes right hand. In the ninth round, Romero outlanded Jaimes. In the tenth and final round, Romero, in a tough fight, edged Jaimes.
The scores were 99-91, 99-91 and 99-91.
Former WBO and WBC Super bantamweight champion Stephen ‘Cool Boy Steph’ Fulton (22-1, 8 KOs) came off the canvas to win a split decision, if not disputed, over former WBC Continental Americas featherweight champion Carlos Castro (30-3, 18 KOs) by a ten round unanimous decision.
In the first round, Castro controlled with an effective jab, keeping Fulton, returning to the ring in over a year since losing his title and having his first loss, from returning much besides one good left hook. In the third round, Castro drew blood from Fulton’s nose in the opening minute. His jab has caused Fulton problems.
In the fourth round, Castro drew flood from Fulton’s nose. Fulton finally returned to championship form in the final minute. In the fifth round, Castro dropped Fulton with a counter right on the chin for an 8-count from referee Alan Huggins. He managed to get to the end after winning the round until the knockdown.
In the sixth round, Fulton came back well from the knockdown in the previous fight. In the seventh round, moving up from super bantam to feather and taking on such a tough opponent is turning out to be a mistake for the most part, as Cruz has proven to be more than tough.
In the eighth round after a minute a right from Castro almost dropped Fulton who was holding on four over a minute until getting “a hard warning” from referee Huggins.
In the ninth round, Fulton, not being a puncher, may need a knockout, and he is in trouble. Fulton landed several good left hooks, knocking Castro’s head back and taking the round.
In the tenth and final round, Philly’s top trainer, Bozy Ennis, is now in his corner, urging Fulton to open up with power punches. Halfway through the round, Fulton landed a left hook, rocking Castro.
In the final minute, Fulton almost dropped Castro with a right on the chin, taking the final round. The scores were 95-94 Castro, 96-93 Fulton, and 95-94 Fulton. The fans were not happy. It may have been a disputed win for Fulton.
Welterweight Roiman Villa (26-3, 24 KOs) was knocked out by Ricardo Salas (20-2-2, 15 KOs) at 2:06 of the third round of a scheduled ten rounds.
The action started early in the first round, with excellent first rounds by both fighters. In the second round, the action continued. Referee Mike Ortega warned Roiman several times for low blows.
In the third round, both fighters were slugging it out when a short right from Salas landed, and down went Roiman on his back, taking the full count from referee Ortega. It was Roiman’s second straight stoppage. In his last fight, he was stopped by Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in July 2023.
Super middleweight southpaw Bek Nurmaganbet (12-0, 10 KOs) stopped Joshua Conley (17-6-1, 11) KOs) in the second round of a round fight.
In the second round, a flurry from Nurmaganbet caused the referee to call a halt for the defenseless Conley.
Super featherweight Jonathan Lopez (17-0, 12 KOs) defeated Richard ‘Ricky El’Castigo’ Medina (15-3, 8 KOs) by an eight-round unanimous decision.
In the first round, Lopez knocked out Medina’s mouthpiece. In the next three rounds, Lopez had his way. In the fifth round, he suffered a cut on his right eyebrow due to a headcut.
In the eighth and final rounds final seconds a left from Lopez on the chin dropped Medina who got an 8-count from Referee Robert Hoyle. He managed to get to the bell. Both fighters had blood dripping from their faces.
The scores were 80-71, 80-71 and 80-71.
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