LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez captured the vacant World Boxing Council middleweight title Saturday with a unanimous decision victory over Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto.

Judges awarded Alvarez the verdict by scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111, with Canelo improving to 46-1-1 while Cotto fell to 40-5.

Canelo, 25, became only the second Mexican fighter to claim the world middleweight throne, taking the title Cotto, 34, surrendered earlier in the week rather than pay sanctioning fees.

“It’s an emotion I just can’t put into words,” Alvarez said. “I’m very happy. Much respect to Miguel Cotto. He’s a great champion. But now it’s my era.”

Cotto suffered only his second defeat in 10 fights against Mexicans, the other coming to Antonio Margarito in 2008.

“It’s a great victory for me, not just me but all of my country,” Alvarez said.

The fighters traded impressive exchanges through the early rounds of a bout fought at a catchweight of 155 pounds.

But the pace increased in the eighth round as Cotto pressed the attack against the larger Alvarez, his jab setting up power punches against the Mexican, who responded with left hooks and combinations to keep Cotto at bay over the final rounds.

Gennady Golovkin, 34-0 with 31 knockouts, owns three other major middleweight titles and Alvarez said he is ready to face him to determine an undisputed champion.

Canelo's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, is not sure if that fight will happen next.

"Look, I can take a page from my mentor Bob Arum's book and say, 'Well, you've got to let it marinate,' or I can go and say, 'Let's go! Let's do it!' Let me talk to my team, let me talk to Canelo [and] discuss how he's feeling … we don't know, we'll see," De La Hoya said.