Canelo: ‘I’m a strong fighter all the time, against all the fighters’

Coming into his fight with Canelo Alvarez, 154-pound undisputed champion Jermell Charlo dared to be great. He was willing to move up 14 pounds to battle the undisputed super middleweight champion.

However, it was clear right away that Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) was too big, too strong, and too skillful for Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs). as he defeated him by unanimous decision on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

One judge had it 119-109, and two judges scored the fight 118-109, all for Alvarez.

The Mexican native was walking Charlo down for most of the fights, using a nice jab and vicious body shots throughout.

Photos from Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions

In the seventh round, the pressure became too much for the undisputed champion at 154 pounds, as Canelo’s pressure forced Charlo to take a knee.

Again, Alvarez was too strong for Charlo, and according to the 168-pound undisputed champion, he’s strong against any fighter.

“I’m a strong fighter all the time, against all the fighters,” Canelo said. “I’m a strong man. Nobody can beat this Canelo.”

After the fight, Charlo said he wasn’t himself but didn’t make any excuses.

“I don’t make excuses for myself, so it is what it is,” Charlo said. “Truthfully, I could feel the difference in the weight. I picked up 14 pounds. I am undisputed in my weight division. You fall short sometimes, but you just have to keep on pushing… thought I got mine off. I’m the little Charlo, and I represent that.”

Canelo dominated the CompuBox stats, owning a 134 to 71 advantage in total punches landed, including an impressive 42 body shots; going to the body was a part of Canelo’s game plan.

“We worked on attacking the body,” said Canelo. “We know he’s a great fighter. He knows how to move in the ring. We worked on attacking the body for three months. For three months in the mountains without my family, without everything.”

Canelo was sharp on Saturday night and expects to return against anybody next May.

“I still love boxing,” he said. “I love boxing so much. Boxing is my life. Boxing made me the person I am today. That’s why I love boxing so much. And I love boxing so much because of my fans, too…Cinco de Mayo I’ll face whoever. I don’t care.”

Hopefully, Charlo, who called out Terence Crawford, goes back down to 154, and hopefully, Canelo will fight the winner of the reported fight between David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade.