Canelo Alvarez dominates Callum Smith to win by unanimous decision

SAN ANTONIO — Canelo Alvarez unanimously outpointed previously undefeated Callum Smith to win the WBA & Ring super-middleweight championships and vacant WBC super-middleweight title Saturday night at the Alamodome.

Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) dominated his only bout this year, repeatedly hitting Smith (27-1, 19 KOs) with straight rights and right hooks to the head over 12 rounds.

Two judges scored the bout 119-109 and the third had it 117-111.

At 5-foot-8, Alvarez was the aggressor against the 6-foot-3 Smith.

Alvarez previously knocked out Callum’s older brother, Liam, on Sept. 17, 2106, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Many speculated Callum wanted revenge for the ninth-round knockout, but Alvarez dominated the younger Smith as well.

Alvarez and Smith were fighting for the first time this year due to the restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ring rust was evident in the first five rounds. It took nearly a minute before the first punch of the bout was thrown, a lunging right by Alvarez. Punches were sparse and the exchanges were brief in the opening round as both fighters shadowed each other.

Alvarez pressed the action in the opening seconds of the second round, forcing Smith to respond with rights to the head to keep Alvarez from continually stepping forward.

Smith jabbed with his left hand more in the third round, occasionally attempting a right uppercut that continually failed to land.

Alvarez landed a series of straight rights and right hooks to the head early in the fourth round that seemed to faze Smith. Alvarez had his most effective combination, landing a left hook to the side of the head, a straight right to the nose and another left hook that delighted the heavily partisan crowd.

Alvarez continued to effectively lunge and dig a right hand to the face between Smith’s gloves in the fifth round. Smith followed up a lunging blow to the stomach to set up a right hook that seemed to shake Alvarez. Smith landed a second right hook following that exchange.

After a rather uneventful sixth round, Alvarez landed a hard right uppercut that snapped Smith’s head back. Alvarez attempted to follow with another uppercut, but Smith sidestepped the attempt and missed an uppercut of his own.

Alvarez landed 60% of his power punches through seven rounds compared to just 20% by Smith.

Alvarez stuffed another hard right uppercut into Smith with about a minute left in the eighth round.

Smith fell back against the ropes following a heavy right hook to the head with about 1 1/2 minutes left in the ninth round.

Alvarez continued to pound Smith to the head in the final rounds, turning Smith’s face bright red from the repeated blows.

Following the victory, Alvarez said he would welcome a third bout against Gennady Golovkin. The two boxers fought to a draw in their initial encounter and Alvarez won the second bout.

Final Decision: Canelo Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) is awarded scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 117-111 and wins a unanimous decision over Callum Smith (27-1, 19 KOs)

Alvarez is now the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine super middleweight champion and a legitimate four-division crownholder.

He landed a total of 209 shots, 126 of them of the power variety on Smith. The Brit offered back 97 shots of his own. Alvarez connected at a 43% clip.

A matchup with a pair of 168-pound champions like WBO titlist Billy Joe Saunders and IBF titlist Caleb Plant loom for Alvarez in 2021. A trilogy with archival Gennadiy Golovkin can also be made once and for all if the weight and purses can be agreed upon.

Canelo Alvarez chases Callum Smith trying to put an exclamation point on his performance as he closes the show in style. Smith meanwhile is taking a peek at the clock, clearly in survival mode. The final seconds swing by, but Alvarez doesn’t get the KO. He’ll get the win, however. Alvarez wins every round on The Times’ scorecards and should be awarded a 120-108 win.

Callum Smith’s chances of winning this fight are slim and none and slim has already left town. Canelo Alvarez is certainly making a statement with his bullying power. Smith’s shots have nothing behind them. Alvarez surely gets hit with harder shots during sparring, I assume. Smith has never been knocked down in his career, so at least he has a moral victory if he finishes the fight. Alvarez is in cruise control, not even sitting on his stool as he waits for the final round. He’s as fresh as can be as the finish line nears. Alvarez 11-0.

Callum Smith says a prayer and draws a cross across his chest with his glove as he walks out of his corner. Smith walked to the ring under “God Save The Queen” before the fight started and he’ll need a miracle from God to win this fight. The fight can be stopped anytime, as everything is working for Canelo Alvarez. He’s just chopping away at the sequoia that is Smith. The Brit’s backpedaling all the way through, and his hands drop at the end of round. He’s hurt, but can he survive six more minutes of this?

A three-punch combination within the first 30 seconds of the round by Canelo Alvarez draws blood from the nose of Callum Smith. He continues the successful sequence by bludgeoning the Brit, buckling him along the ropes several times. They are certainly the hardest, most devastating punches of the night. Too many to count. Canelo has now kicked the fight into second gear and is looking for a finish. Smith is busted up badly, and the end may be nearing. Alvarez 9-0.

Canelo Alvarez has been attacking the body well, but I’m surprised he’s not zeroing in on the ribs a lot more. It could perhaps put this fight away a lot sooner. He’s leaping a lot to make up for the height disadvantage, and he’s losing a little luster off his shots. Nevertheless, he’s still the more comfortable fighter. Callum Smith continues to swing lazily. Alvarez connects with a beautiful uppercut and a snapping jab. Rinse. Repeat. Alvarez 8-0.

The fight has been fought at the same speed since the second round. It’s almost as if they are sticking to the same script. Callum Smith should have pulled out Plan B three rounds ago. Canelo Alvarez catches Smith sitting on the ropes and delivers a barrage of punches that catches his counterpart’s attention. Smith seems to be eating everything well, but he needs to throw way more to have a chance. Throwing more punches to win a fight? A novel concept, we know. Alvarez 7-0.

Canelo Alvarez should consider a career as a starting pitcher, because he’s so far dealing a shutout through six innings. It’s been a quality start for the first half of the fight for Alvarez. The Mexican fighter is again showing he’s a complete boxer and nothing seems to phase him. He’s been out of the ring for 13 months, so at this point he’s just getting rounds in the bank to make up for lost time. You don’t get paid by the minute though in boxing. Alvarez 6-0.

Canelo Alvarez has taken full control of the fight. He’s incessantly trailing Smith like a shark, but the attack has been devoid of a devastating bite. Smith’s peppering shot couldn’t break a paper bag. WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade says Smith appears that he didn’t come here to win the fight. It’s hard to disagree. Another one-sided round for the pound for pound king. Alvarez 5-0.

The ferociousness in the fight picks up due to Canelo Alvarez’s fierce onslaught immediately as the round begins. The Mexican fighter is also moving his head better, is active and more accurate. Callum Smith is throwing one shot at a time, and connects with an uppercut. Alvarez does not respect his power and continues to press forward, punishing the Brit one blow at a time. So far through 12 minutes, size does not matter for the shorter Alvarez. 4-0 Alvarez.

Canelo Alvarez begins the round by seemingly swinging wildly with a left from his ankle. He ultimately swings and misses with the home run. Callum Smith is showing solid defense, but more is desired from his offense. Alvarez is throwing punches with bad intentions with explosive power. Smith is simply flicking a left jab with nothing behind it. Alvarez is creating the exchanges by pressing forward and staying within distance, winning with ring generalship as well. 3-0 Alvarez.

Canelo Alvarez starts pressing forward, trying to find Callum Smith, who’s opting to fight off his back foot by peppering jabs. Alvarez catches Smith on the ropes and lets loose with wide and looping shots, definitely the most exciting exchange of the round. Alvarez’s stinging jab is getting the attention of Smith as well. The British boxer is not really throwing anything with conviction to get Alvarez’s attention. 2-0 Alvarez.

Your TV settings don’t need to be adjusted. Canelo Alvarez is seven inches shorter than the lanky Callum Smith. Both begin the fight by feinting at a slow pace, waiting to inch their way in to do some damage. Smith is using his size to establish a long jab and create openings for his hooks. Alvarez is patient with the feeling out process, picking and choosing shots to the solar plexus and upstairs as well, doing just a bit more to win the round.

The main event between Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith is about to start. Here’s how the two boxers entered the ring Saturday night:

Touted Fresno amateur phenom Marc Castro couldn’t have asked for a bigger stage to make his pro debut, serving as the co-main event against Luis Javier Valdes in a four-round fight.

Castro came in calculated and immediately made his mark by scoring a knockdown midway through the second with a straight right hand, left hook and right uppercut combo.

Castro (1-0, 1 KO) cruised into the third round, and finished the fight with a devastating flurry and knocked out Valdes (7-6-1, 2 KOs) with one minute remaining in the round. Vicious blows to the body and an attack to the head ultimately finished the fight.

Castro outlanded Valdes 58-27 in total punches and went 47-25 in power shots and gave himself a B-minus grade for his pro debut.

“I’m happy with my performance, but there is a lot to improve,” Castro said. “I have to get back to the gym and start working.”

The 21-year old Castro accrued a record of 177 wins and 7 losses and 16 national level tournament wins before turning pro.

Austin “Ammo” Williams opened the show with a powder-keg eruption, knocking out Isiah Jones in less than 90 seconds. Williams (7-0, 6 KOs) went gangbusters, connecting 21 power punches during his furious finish over Jones (9-4, 3 KOs). The Houston-based Williams is a touted middleweight prospect managed by the Los Angeles-based Sam Katkovksi.

Undefeated featherweight upstart Raymond Ford (8-0, 4 KOs) was tested at times, but used a deft jab to knock down Juan Antonio Lopez (15-8, 6 KOs) in the first round, and finally stopped him with a seventh-round knockout over Juan Antonio Lopez (15-8, 6 KOs). Ford landed a total of 89 punches but ate 64 in return. Ford is a 21-year-old, 2018 national Golden Gloves champion from Camden, N.J.

Cuban heavyweight up-and-comer and Canelo Alvarez stablemate Frank Sanchez (17-0, 1 KO) remained undefeated and dominated Julian Fernandez (14-3, 11 KOs) in a one-sided smashing before scoring a highlight-reel knockout.

Sanchez dominated the entire fight and emphatically finished it in the seventh with a pair of right hands that knocked Fernandez down, and out of the ring.

Fernandez was clearly outmatched and never offered much of a challenge. The 28-year-old Sanchez recorded his second win in 42 days, but looked average for most of the bout before scoring the show-stopping KO.

Sanchez connected with 108 shots, while Fernandez landed with 43 of his own.

Sanchez is trained by Eddy Reynoso, the manager and trainer of Alvarez. Reynoso, however, remained in the locker room for the fight readying Alvarez. Sanchez even spars with the super middleweight Alvarez at their San Diego-based gym.

Much like DAZN partnered with LAFC star Carlos Vela to executive produce “40 Days” to ramp up Alvarez’s last fight against Sergey Kovalev, the streaming service has tapped into English soccer star Harry Kane for an executive producer role as well for its latest installment of the short-form, episodic series.

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If your day is jam-packed with holiday shopping, decorating a Christmas tree, or alphabetizing your sweater collection, we have important information that will help you schedule your Saturday evening a little more efficiently.

According to event officials, ring walks for the main event are slated to begin at 8 p.m. PT, but the actual feed for the fight card begins at 5 p.m. PT. UK-based fans looking to support the British Smith are looking at a bed, boxing and breakfast special at 4 a.m.

If watching people punch each other in the face is your thing, there are four more fights being featured on the card for your viewing pleasure.

Everything will kick off when touted Fresno-based amateur and featherweight prospect Marc Castro makes his pro debut against Luis Javier Valdes (7-5-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round fight.

Afterward, Houston-based prospect Austin Williams (6-0, 5 KOs) will be taking on Isiah Jones (9-3, 3 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout. Then, Raymond Ford (7-0, 3 KOs) challenges Juan Antonio Lopez (15-7, 6 KOs) in an eight-round matchup.

In the co-main event, Alvarez stablemate and the Eddy Reynoso-trained Cuban prospect Frank Sanchez (16-0, 12 KOs) will face Julian Fernandez (14-2, 11 KOs) in a ten-round heavyweight contest.

Canelo Alvarez is listed at around a -600 favorite across a variety of sportsbooks, while Callum Smith is listed as the underdog around the range of +400.

We reached far and wide to poll some of the top boxing experts in the sport to see how they envision Alvarez vs. Smith unfolding. Here are their predictions for the fight:

Callum Smith moves reasonably well for a 6-foot-3 super middleweight. Sort of like how Shawn Bradley moved well for a 7-foot-6 basketball player. Smith will enjoy a seven-inch height advantage and has a sneaky right, but what else does he have? Alvarez will mark an extreme step-up in class for Smith, who lacks the quickness, footwork or know-how to deal with the red-headed Mexican. Alvarez by 7th-round KO.

— Dylan Hernandez, Times sports columnist

A lot of people have been talking about Smith’s size and he will prove on Saturday that he’s more than a tall fighter. He will complicate the fight for Alvarez with his jab but he has to win some of the early rounds to gain confidence. Smith will have to be very careful with Alvarez’s counterattack. As the fight progresses, Alvarez will use his experience and better boxing skills to attack the body, the same way he used to beat brother Liam Smith. Alvarez chose Smith for a reason: he thinks he can use the same formula he used to beat his brother. Smith will eventually get tired and start to fall behind in the late rounds. Alvarez wins by unanimous decision.

— Eduard Cauich, LA Times en Español sports editor

A lot has been said about Smith’s height in comparison to Alvarez’s after their face-off, but people tend to have short memories. The Mexican has had his own share of tall opponents and has fared well against them. Expect a lot of body work from Alvarez, looking to always attack inside. Smith must have heard about it from his brother Liam. Expect plenty of lateral movement from the WBA super middleweight world champion, who will release his powerful jabs whilst using his longer arms keeping the distance. Alvarez by tenth-round TKO.

— Jad El Reda, LA Times en Español sports editor

On paper, Smith has some striking advantages: seven inches in height (though it looks more than that), eight inches in reach. Those will make for an interesting night — until Alvarez finally locates his own advantage, commensurate with Smith’s long, lean and inevitably exposed flanks. Alvarez will dine on liver come Saturday night. This is the kind of big fight Smith and his trainer, Joe Gallagher, have long wanted, an opportunity to stake a claim for international recognition. Unfortunately for them, in boxing, as in love, desire will get you hurt.

— Mark Kriegel, ESPN writer and commentator, author of “The Good Son: The Life of Ray Boom Boom Mancini”

I see this fight playing out similarly to the Sergey Kovalev fight. Kovalev had early success with the jab, and Smith will as well. But I’m not sure the Ring Magazine champion can maintain the level of discipline and focus that it will take to beat Alvarez. Eventually, after overcoming some rough spots, I see Alvarez breaking Smith down and ending the fight like he did against his brother Liam with a sick body shot or a combination that begins downstairs and ends upstairs. It may not be pretty or entertaining, but Alvarez will eventually wear down Smith.

— Bernardo Osuna, Boxing commentator for ESPN and ESPN Deportes

To me this Alvarez fight is less about his opponent and more about his career, where he’s at with it and what’s next. I don’t see him losing this fight. I don’t think he’ll be challenged, other than by the odd juxtaposition in height. I see him winning by KO in the same way you might see a lumberjack chop down a tree in a forest. More by an accumulation of blows than any one savage one. I hope this sets up a third fight with Gennady Golovkin, or David Benavidez, or any number of great matchups that will allow boxing fans to see Alvarez in his prime. It won’t last forever. But he should be cherished for what he has done, which is, simply, become one of the top boxers of his era, his resume built out and impressive. He’ll add to it on Saturday.

— Greg Bishop, senior writer for Sports Illustrated

The length and height of Smith is an issue for Alvarez to deal with, but he’s done it before. I think Alvarez will warm up to the task as this fight goes on and start really controlling things in round four or so. I see him winning by stoppage in later rounds or winning by unanimous decision.

— Al Bernstein, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Showtime Boxing broadcaster

I think Alvarez will win. Smith is a half-foot taller and has power, and is undefeated. But Alvarez had no trouble with taller opponents beating both Kovalev and Rocky Fielding. I think Smith will lose just like his brother Liam did to Alverez back in 2016. Alvarez is a great fighter, perhaps the best pound-for-pound in the world. It won’t be an easy fight, but I see Alvarez winning.

— Jim Gray, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Showtime Boxing broadcaster

If the 6-foot-3 Smith can use his seven-inch height and reach advantages to keep Alvarez at a comfortable distance, the unbeaten Brit can make this fight very competitive. He even believes he can hurt Alvarez. If he allows Alvarez inside, though, the strong Mexican challenger will have plenty of success, especially to Smith’s body. Either way, it’ll be difficult for Smith to beat boxing’s cash cow on the scorecards and Alvarez has shown a granite chin throughout his career, even as he has moved up in weight. Alvarez by unanimous decision.

— Keith Idec, senior writer and columnist for BoxingScene.com

Callum Smith has a huge height and reach advantage over Canelo Alvarez, and he’s a high-quality fighter. He tends not to use his height, and that will be imperative for him to do so. But Alvarez is arguably the most well-rounded fighter in the sport. I think he finds a way to get inside and attack Smith’s body. I like Canelo to win by a clear decision.

— Kevin Iole, combat sports writer for Yahoo! Sports

There is an argument to be made that Callum Smith is the best 168-pound fighter in the world. There is another — and more relevant — case to be made that his frame and style plays perfectly into Alvarez’s strengths. Look for Alvarez to work the body early and often, eventually breaking down Smith to become a legitimate four-division titlist. Smith will pose early difficulties before succumbing to the pressure of the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world today. Canelo by seventh-round TKO.

— Jake Donovan, senior writer for BoxingScene.com

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A look at the Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith matchup

It’s a very dangerous fight for Alvarez and a huge opportunity for Smith with the winner to be generally considered the legitimate super middleweight world champion. I like Alvarez to win it. He has always done well against taller opponents. Smith, while talented, doesn’t do anything flashy or unorthodox. I think he’ll box early, figure him and then begin to chop down the big tree with shots to the head but with particular attention to his ample rib cage en route to a stoppage in the ninth or 10th round.

— Dan Rafael, BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for career excellence in boxing journalism

While Smith has a significant advantage in height and reach, Canelo’s ability to slip punches and work his way inside will be key in the Mexican star getting to the body of Smith. Smith has some offensive tools at his disposal, but this is a well-seasoned Alvarez who has stared down the barrel against the likes of Gennadiy Golovkin. You also get the sense that Alvarez has found a perfect fit for himself at the super middleweight weight class. Look for Alvarez to slowly wear down Smith and stop him in 10 rounds.

— Steve Kim, 3 Knockdown Rule

Alvarez’s many combinations include patience and attention to detail. He’s a student of the game, which he has managed to master by increments. Smith represents a different challenge for him especially since a split with promoter Oscar De La Hoya. He hasn’t fought in more than a year. But the student in Alvarez’s hasn’t changed. Expect him to be tentative early, in part because of the layoff and mostly because of Smith’s advantages in height and reach. But Smith’s big upper body is an even bigger target. Alvarez’s body punches figure to be precise and punishing in the late rounds of a unanimous decision on the scorecards.

— Norm Frauenheim, 15Rounds.com, former boxing columnist at The Arizona Republic

Alvarez’s footwork is, if anything, is underrated, and that’s going to be the key to him picking apart the defensive efforts of a much taller guy. He’ll be looking to not only win but to turn on the style points and I don’t expect him to be much troubled at all. Alvarez should win by eighth-round stoppage in a comfortable night.

— Martin Rogers, Fox Sports analyst

Seasons beatings, everyone! Call it a Christmas miracle, or consider it a perfectly wrapped present from Santa, because Canelo Alvarez is ending his 13-month stint on the sidelines and returning to the squared circle on Saturday.

The tall task at hand — literally and figuratively — is 168-pound titleholder Callum Smith (More on the gangly Smith’s combined 14-plus inches of height and reach advantages to come in our tale of the tape below).

Boxing’s king of the ring was a king of the courtroom earlier this year when Alvarez wiggled his way out of a contract and was released from his deal by promoter Oscar De La Hoya after filing a lawsuit with Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN.

Their relationship soured soon after signing a $365 million contract with DAZN, and the pound-for-pound star Alvarez decided he’d rather direct his own career.

We broke down all of the angles in detail, and what Alvarez has been up to since he beat Sergey Kovalev for a light heavyweight title in 2019, in our Friday feature.

Tale of the tape

Canelo Alvarez

Age: 30 (July 18, 1990)

Residence: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Record: 53-1-2, 36 KOs

World championship fights: 14-1-1, 8 KOs

Total rounds fought: 402

Height: 5 foot 8

Reach: 70.5 inches

Weight: 168 pounds

Stance: Right-handed

Manager: Jose “Chepo” Reynoso

Trainer: Edison “Eddy” Reynoso

Notable wins: Sergey Kovalev, Daniel Jacobs, Rocky Fielding, Gennady Golovkin (one draw as well). Julio César Chávez Jr., Liam Smith, Amir Khan, Miguel Cotto, James Kirkland, Erislandy Lara, Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Josesito López, Shane Mosley, Kermit Cintrón and Matthew Hatton.

Notable loss: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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A look at some of Canelo Alvarez’s biggest punches and greatest knockouts.

Callum Smith

Age: 30 (April 23, 1990)

Residence: Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

Record: 27-0, 19 KOs

Total rounds fought: 134

World championship fights: 3-0, 2 KOs

Height: 6 foot 3

Reach: 78 inches

Weight: 168 pounds

Stance: Right-handed

Manager and Trainer: Joe Gallagher

Notable wins: George Groves, Hassan N’Dam, John Ryder and Rocky Fielding.

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Canelo Alvarez and Callen Smith go face to face for the first time ahead of their fight on Saturday.

Canelo Alvarez versus Callum Smith will be streamed on DAZN, and, for the first time in the nascent streaming service’s history, it’ll also be available on pay-per-view.

The event will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The arena will be staged to host 12,000 socially distanced fans.

After proclaiming that PPV was on the ropes and heading toward a knockout loss, DAZN is reconsidering and pivoting its company strategy. It is partnering with traditional PPV providers by offering the fight as a standalone purchase for $69.99.

The purchase will be paired with a promo code that gives users a free four-month DAZN subscription.

“Our goal is bigger than a one-time transaction. We wanted to create a relationship with cable customers beyond fight night,” Robert Stecklow, senior vice president of subscription marketing for DAZN, told The Times. “Like a lot of businesses, things change and pivot. We’re not too worried about what we came into the market as. The times are different now. Canelo has not fought in a long time.

“There are a lot of boxing fans out there that we haven’t reached, and even though they know who we are, they might be uncomfortable purchasing through the app. We want to get Canelo in front of as many people as we can, and the combined approach is a good one to maximize reach. It’s smart for us heading into 2021.”

If you’re wondering what DAZN’s boxing schedule looks like for the next four months, fast-rising, Victorville-based star Ryan Garcia will fight Luke Campbell on Jan. 2, Sergey Kovalev will take on Bektemir Melikuziev on Jan. 30 and JoJo Diaz challenged Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov on Feb. 13. Welterweight knockout phenom Vergil Ortiz Jr. is also slated to fight in March.