• Match-Up
  • Performance
  • Significance
  • Demand
  • Commentating

Mexico City, Mexico– Saul Canelo Alvarez ( 39-0-1, 29 KOs) WBC Light Middleweight champion of the world stepped into the ring tonight against challenger Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (33-5-1, 28 KOs) former WBO, IBF welterweight champion.

Canelo is Golden Boy’s golden calf and Mexico’s brightest young star. Alvarez, the more natural 154lber  was comfortable in his own territory.

Cintron came out crowding Alvarez. Chants of Canelo chiming from the crowd. Both fighters feeling each out in early. Canelo throws the left hook and Cintron blocked it but you can see the power Canelo displayed because he easily moved Cintron’s upper body.

Canelo lands a left hook and a right hand. Canelo was trying to time the right hand in his attempt to counter Cintron. Cintron landing a jab and a right hand. Kermit was the busier fighter in the first round that was battle of jabs. Canelo very accurate landing the most effective punches of the first round.

Into the second round; Cintron was punching reluctantly as Alvarez surely attempted counters that finished in combos. Cintron finding a counter right hand over the top of Alvarez’ left jab. Alvarez outlander Cintron 8 to 6 in the round. Little output in round 2. Alavarez’ trainer tells Canelo’s “you’re showing this kid a little too much respect. You  have to a get this kid now.” Alvarez’ trainer also instructed him to adjust his positioning.

Into Round 3; Cintron throws shots to the body, walking down Alvarez. Cintron sung good head movement to keep Alvarez off him. Alvarez now walking Cintron down with the jab. Alvarez opening to the body with 4 punch combos. There’s a sense that Canelo is getting closer and closer to Cintron with that left hook. There’s a noticeable difference in sound and power between the fighters as they even miss punches. Round 3 goes into the books with Alavarez once again landing the bigger punches. Alvarez’ trainer instructs “You gotta take a chance. I’m telling you, you have to go to the body.”

Into Round 4; Saul comes out square to Cintron. Kermit landing body jabs and feinting Canelo. Canelo looking patient. You wonder whether the feints are keeping Saul from firing away. Canelo looking to counter, grows impatient and uses the double left hook. Cintron is toe to the with Alvarez. Great body shot followed by a left hook upstairs to Kermit.

Counter right hand hurts Kermit and sends him to the canvas with :50 seconds. Kermt goes down again at :38 seconds but the refs calls it a slip. Cintron firing back. Alvarez can’t finish him off. But Cintron lays on the ropes for several seconds after the bell then staggers to his corner. I was greatly disappointed at Cintron’s corner for not coming into the ring to retrieve him. Cintron’s trainer asks if he knows where he his and Kermit says yes.

Into Round 4; Canelo comes out stalking. Kermit throwing bombs and figures he’ll go out swinging. Alvarez lands a left hook and and overhand right that forces Alvrarez to clinch. Alvarez landing overhand rights, and hooks. Kermit looks fatigued. Alvarez has Cintron on the ropes, lands a straight right sending Kermit back on shaky legs. Alvarez looks a bit punched out missing wildly but still throwing.

Canelo lands a good straight right. Kermit ducks away from more shots, he looks stunned but moving. The ref steps in and calls the fight- oddly! I’m not sure about that stoppage. Cintron was still bobbing and weaving to avoid punches. I’m all for protecting fighters. And I understand the logic of  leaning toward caution as opposed to risk and guessing.

With all due respect to Cintron, he did not look good at all tonight. Matthew Hatton was a much better match up for Canelo.

Who’s next for Canelo Alvarez? Sergio Martinez has his eyes on the prize. Realistically, Martinez is not in the hunt as Canelo is one of the front runners to face Mayweather on May 5, 2012.