Boxing superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KO) returns to the ring this Saturday, making his debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in an undisputed super-middleweight title clash against undefeated Cuban William Scull (23-0, 9 KO).
The Mexican currently holds the WBC, WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine titles, while Scull enters the bout as the IBF champion, making his first title defence since claiming the belt with a win over Vladimir Shishkin in October.
Saturday marks the second time four-weight world champion Canelo will attempt to become undisputed at super-middleweight, following his 2021 victory over Caleb Plant, a fight that also stands as his most recent stoppage win.
If rumours from Nigel Benn are to be believed, this weekend could present a prime opportunity for Canelo to secure his first knockout win in four years and reclaim his status as undisputed champion.
Here is a look at three of the best stoppage victories from 34-year-old as he looks to prove once again why he’s considered by many as one of the best fighter of his generation by becoming a two time undisputed champion.
Canelo Stops Amir Khan With Iconic Knockout
In May 2016, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez made the first defense of his WBC middleweight world title against Britain’s Amir Khan at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The bout remained closely contested as it entered the sixth of twelve scheduled championship rounds, with two judges scoring it in favor of Alvarez and one siding with Khan.
With both fighters enjoying moments of success, Alvarez began targeting Khan’s body in an effort to slow his quick footwork — a tactical shift that paved the way for the devastating finish to the world title bout.
In the sixth round, Alvarez feinted to Khan’s body, causing the British fighter to lower his guard, leaving him open for a devastating overhand right. The punch sent the Olympic silver medalist crashing to the canvas, unconscious for several minutes and requiring immediate medical attention.
The victory was watched ringside by rival Gennadiy Golovkin setting up what was to be a historic trilogy between the pair in the coming years.
Spinning James Kirkland In Third Round Victory
In May 2015, Alvarez traveled to Minute Maid Park in Texas to face American James Kirkland, delivering one of the most explosive knockout victories ever witnessed in the squared circle.
Despite a two-year layoff, Kirkland was widely recognised for his aggressive style and came out applying heavy pressure early in the contest, landing a few big shots, but Alvarez’s sharp counter-punching proved decisive, dropping Kirkland in the opening round.
Kirkland was lucky to survive the round after a barrage from Alvarez to body and head and he would only survive five more minutes as the clinical Mexican landed the finishing blow.
After absorbing more heavy punishment in the second round, Kirkland came out for what would be the third and final round of the scheduled twelve. Alvarez dropped him again before unleashing a thunderous right hand that sent Kirkland spinning to the canvas, bringing the fight to an instant and emphatic halt.
Four-Weight Champion With Kovalev Win
While not as brutal as his previous knockouts, Alvarez’s stoppage victory over Sergey Kovalev remains one of his most impressive, as it secured his place in boxing history by making him a four-weight world champion in November 2019.
Up against the naturally bigger Russian having climbed two weight classes, Canelo found himself in a tightly contested battle with the judges’ scorecards reading 96-94, 96-94, and 95-95 in his favour as the fight entered the decisive eleventh round.
Canelo landed a stiff right hand to the jaw of ‘The Krusher,’ followed by a swift, short left hook that sent Kovalev sprawling to the canvas, prompting referee Russell Mora to wave off the contest immediately.
The victory earned Canelo the WBO light-heavyweight title, further cementing his legacy as one of the most daring and skilled boxers in the history of the sweet science.
