In what was a virtuoso display by Saul " Canelo " Alvarez, the 33-year-old Superstar triumphed over fellow Mexican rival Jaime Munguia in a clash for the undisputed crown at 168lbs.
Staged at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the lead-up to the bout wasn't without controversy as Oscar De La Hoya and Alvarez were engaged in some heated confrontations at the presser.
Alvarez, now ( 61-2-2) began the bout on a relaxed note, studying his younger opponent to find holes in his game.
Munguia probably took the first couple of rounds with persistent, stiff jabs and beautiful combinations. He might have been overconfident as he walked into a right uppercut from Alvarez followed by a left hook which sent him crashing to the canvas in the fourth.
Munguia, now ( 43-1) came back but was rocked a few more times in the sixth, though he kept marching forward and landed a few flurries of his own.
A truly valiant effort from Munguia, saw him trade to the final bell albeit suffering the first loss of his professional career.
The scores read: 117-110,116-111 and 115-112 to hand Saul Alvarez a unanimous win over Jaime Munguia. But no shame in that; he lost to a legend and a future Hall Of Famer.
Indeed, Canelo did show signs of vulnerability at certain times during the fight but was experienced enough to weave his way through every single time: that's what years of top-level competition gives you.
A good win for Alvarez, but an omen of things to come: David Benavidez would give him loads of trouble.
But until then, All Hail King Canelo!
Samuel Opoku Amoah is a writer and boxing analyst for AceTVBoxing.com. He can be reached via email: samgolden715@gmail.com.
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