Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas - For the WBC, WBA super middleweight titles, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) battered previously unbeaten Callum Smith (27-1, 19 KOs) to win a wide twelve round unanimous decision. (photos by Ed Mulholland)
Canelo became a legit four division world champion with scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 117-111.
Smith came out jabbing at the start of the first round. Canelo was staying patient and trying to get close. Smith was using his jab and even going to the body. Canelo was looking for quick shots in a slow paced fight.
Both were doing good work in the second. Smith was doing very well, with Canelo starting to land more jabs. Both had their moments in the third, with Canelo landing the harder punches. During the fourth, Smith landed a good uppercut and Canelo responded by winging hard shots and controlling most of the action.
Smith came out firing in the fifth round, with punches landing. Canelo was walking through the shots as Smith was letting his hands. Canelo was just stalking and landing the harder shots.
A close sixth, with both boxers connecting with good shots. Smith was very active with his punches. There was a little more trading in the seventh at close range, with Canelo landing the harder shots.
Canelo was letting his hands go in the eight, landing more often on Smith. There was trading of shots, with Canelo landing harder. In the ninth, Canelo was letting his hands go and doing damage on Smith, who was unable to get off with his shots.
At the start of the tenth, Canelo was going after Callum Smith with hard shots to the head and body. Smith was being busted up by power shots. More punishment continued in the eleventh, with Canelo walking forward and letting go of the hard shots.
Not much of a change in the twelfth and final round, as Canelo came out firing with both hands. Canelo was going for the knockout, stalking Smith down and landing heavy blows. Smith was able to survive until the final bell
