Saul "Canelo" Alvarez landed a devastating right hook to knock out Amir Khan in the sixth round and claim the WBC middleweight title clash in Las Vegas on Saturday.
After even opening rounds, Mexican Alvarez closed it at 2:37 in the sixth when he feigned a left jab before delivering a rattling hook to knock his British opponent cold.
Khan, 29, came to his senses well after the bout had been decided and was taken to the hospital. He later tweeted out a photo assuring he was fine.
The former WBA and WBC super welterweight champion, who lost both world titles on a majority decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013, entered the night as a heavy favorite but Khan (31-4, 19 knockouts) seemed to control the first couple of rounds with his hand speed.
The Mexican power-puncher caught up with Khan in the third round and began to cut off the ring and push his opponent against the ropes. In the fifth, Khan absorbed a left hook and sustained a cut over his right eye.
It all led to the crushing closer where 25-year-old Alvarez again showed the brute strength that has now carried him to a record of 47-1-1 with 33 knockouts.
Following the fight, Alvarez invited WBA/IBO/IBF champion Gennady "Triple G" Golovkin into the ring, fuelling the growing clamor for a clash between the two.
Khan, in his post fight comments, dared Canelo to face Golovkin.
“I want to thank everyone for coming,” said Khan.
“I think it’s time for Canelo to step up to GGG, just like I stepped up to fight him. I tried as much as I could and trained very hard for this fight. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the result I wanted. Although I feel strong at this weight, I am naturally a lighter fighter and plan to go back down to welterweight. But, I like to challenge myself and that is why I took this fight. I want to be the best, and to be the best I have to fight the best.”
