In front of over 31,000 fans at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas this weekend, Canelo Alvarez landed a punch heard round the world and knocked out James Kirkland on the Golden Boy Promotions card which was shown on HBO. The boxing ring was placed in the middle of the baseball park surrounded by thousands of fans that came to see the next superstar in boxing from Jalisco, Mexico.
The excitement was building up from the undercard that consisted of thirteen bouts that had started around 11:00 that afternoon. One of the bouts also included Joshua Clottey (39-4, 22 KO’s), the former WBO and IBF welterweight champion.
As expected, Kirkland (32-2, 28 KO’s), from Austin, Texas came out fast and began to land a mountain of punches and quickly got Alvarez on the ropes. Alvarez then quickly covered up, slipped away and began to return punches with dangerous intentions. Kirkland attempted to smother the young former world champion and in about the minute and a half mark of the first round, Alvarez landed a left hook to the body and a straight right hand that sent Kirkland to the canvas and the crowd in Houston erupted. To Kirkland’s credit, he got up and fought back and survived the onslaught as the bell sounded.
Kirkland came out swinging again in the second round and landed some good punches on Alvarez, but Alvarez countered back and landed a big right hand that staggered him. Although Kirkland hadn’t fought since knocking out Glen Tapia (23-2, 15 KO’s) in December of 2013, he came into the fight in great shape and he was looking for the early knockout.
When the bell sounded for the third round, the excitement in the crowd was evident as they started chanting Canelo’s name expecting something to happen. They were right, and in the first minute of the third round, Alvarez, the former WBC and WBA super welterweight champion landed a crushing uppercut and Kirkland hit the canvas for the second time. He got up, took the count, and then Alvarez moved in and landed a powerful overhand right at 2:19 of the third round that sent him to the canvas for the last time.
At the post-fight press conference, Canelo said “Once I dropped him the first time, I knew I had him.” “The result was what I expected.” “I will continue to fight the best fighters, that’s what I do, I fight for myself and for the fans.” I am not afraid of any fighter.”
Because of this exciting knockout win, Alvarez could be set to meet Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s) at the end of the year for a megafight. But that will depend on Cotto defending his WBC Middleweight title against the Australian Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO’s) on June 6th at the Barclays Center in New York. Golden Boy Promotions and Cotto promoter Roc Nation Sport have reportedly signed a term sheet for the bout. In addition to that, since Canelo has said he likes to fight in Texas because of the fan support, Oscar DeLa Hoya anticipates many more upcoming fights with Canelo in the Lone Star State.
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