AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas - Before a crowd of over 51,000 fans, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (48-1-1, 34KOs) knocked out previously undefeated Liam 'Beefy' Smith (23-1-1, 13KOs) to win the WBO junior middleweight title. This was Canelo's first fight at 154 since 2013. His last five fights took place at catch-weight of 155-pounds.

Last November, Canelo captured the WBC's middleweight world title with a twelve round decision over Miguel Cotto. He returned to the ring in May, and retained that title with a brutal sixth round knockout of Amir Khan. 

When the World Boxing Council pressed him to fight Gennady Golovkin, the Mexican superstar vacated his title and announced he was moving down to the junior middleweight division.

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Canelo started fast, throwing a quick jab and hard hooks behind it. Smith wasn't doing much of anything, other than taking punches. Canelo was also digging hard to the body. Canelo continued to unload his punches in the second round. Smith was able to land a few punches, getting a little busier, but he was still being outworked by a mile. A small cut opened up near the left eye of Canelo.

Smith started off the third by landing a combination to push Canelo back. Canelo continued to switch up his punches to the head and body. He was really putting his punches together on Smith at the end of the round. Smith was landing small punches and then countered with a big uppercut that had no effect on Canelo, who walked through everything. Canelo's jab was sharp and opened up all of his offense in the fourth. Smith had a cut open up above his right eye during the action.

Smith was shooting a good jab at the start of the fifth. Canelo came firing back with some big combinations. Smith was starting to put some punches together and blasted some punches on Canelo against the ropes in the closing seconds. Smith suffered another cut around his right eye. At the start of the sixth, Smith was giving and taking some solid shots. The fight was starting to tighten up with both fighters landing well.

The seventh round was one way action at the start. A solid combination of punches to the head and body sent Smith down for the first time in his career. Canelo was looking for the finish, but not able to get past Smith's defensive skills. And a true sign of courage saw Smith letting his hands go in the final twenty seconds. Canelo came out jabbing in the eight round and letting his hands go. During the eight, Canelo landed a hard hook to the body that sent Smith down for a second time. Smith was able to last until the bell once again.

During the ninth, Canelo landed a massive shot to the body and Smith went down in severe pain. The referee waved off the contest.