Boxing Report: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo

 

Given that my co-worker, Mike, was going to Las Vegas for the fight with his Canelo-loving girlfriend, Laiza, and she didn't get him a ticket was telling me something.  That Mike didn't bother telling me anything about the fight was telling me the rest.  This was not going to be worth watching (or reading, up front apologies).

 

Wait.  I've already written about two fights this year (5-11 and 4-16).  I don't need to write about any more fights this year to maintain my sports writing credentials.  (Here are my credentials: I have a computer, somewhere to post, and an opinion.)  Well, I took notes.  I'm not doing anything else.  I guess I'll do this.  And that's as enthusiastic as this post is going to get. 

  

This Super Middleweight championship fight was at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.  Canelo's punching bag tonight would be Jermell Charlo with a 37 (50% KO)-3-1 record.  He's a US boxer, but of course, he would have no home ring advantage.  TV Azteca did lots of crowd shots, so I was scanning for Laiza.  I only noticed musician, Steve Aoki.  For that matter, Canelo came out with a couple of rappers singing.  It wasn't much of a walk-out.

 

Round 1

Let's do this.  (Whatever.  I guess.  I'm watching the Cowboys game and a NASCAR race right now at dad's and wishing I was home watching the last weekend of the MLB regular season.  Or not, as the Rangers lost.)  I don't think either fighter threw a punch for over 30 seconds.  I was instantly regretting my decision to watch.  Eventually, they were mixing it up.  Canelo took a big swing that hit the ropes, but was pushing Char into them a couple of times.  Both fighters wrapped up before the bell.  Canelo took the round.

 

Round 2

Char stuck his arm out and probed.  This is not to be confused with punching.  Canelo got in some good exchanges while again putting Char into the ropes.  The ref broke up a wrap and warned Canelo.  Char went into a couple of headlocks.  Canelo got in a tremendous ab shot.  The crowd let out an “Ooooh!” like they'd taken the hit.  Canelo.

 

Round 3

The round started with an immediate headlock.  Both fighters then leaned into each other and were broken up.  Canelo forced Char back into the ropes.  Char bowed down and buried his head into Canelo's groin.  I felt a bit uncomfortable with this.  Canelo.

 

Round 4

Char came out more aggressive.  The crowd responded positively (while not actually rooting for him).  Char still ended up in a couple more headlocks.  He completely doubled over at one point.  Canelo.

 

Round 5

Canelo came out slugging harder.  The two wrapped and were broken up.  Canelo then leaned on Char and looked tired.  Char got in a couple of good hits and the crowd roared.  Me and the coverage gave this round to Char.

 

Round 6

They started off dancing around and then wrapped up again.  Char took a headshot before ending up in a headlock.  Canelo was warned.  The fighters wrapped up twice and were broken up.  Canelo got in a good shot and the crowd responded.  Canelo then pushed Char into the ropes and then held him there while punching him.  Canelo.

 

Round 7

More dancing.  Char took a hit while on the ropes.  He staggered then momentarily fell to a knee.  The crowd exalted, but then Char got back up and the fight (unfortunately) continued.  Char was pinned and punched again on the ropes.  Char got warned on a punch and lost a point.  Canelo.

 

Round 8

The crowd was chanting something as the round began, probably, “We want our money back!”  There was a vicious exchange in the ring.  Canelo pushed Char off him into the ropes.  Char stumbled throwing a punch.  Canelo had a little reach around on Char.  Canelo.

 

Round 9

Char’s corner had to be wiped up before the round could start.  He seemed to get a second wind and Char got in some good exchanges.  After taking a barrage of blows, Canelo looked annoyed.  I had Char.  The TV coverage still had Canelo.

 

Round 10

Canelo chased Char around the ring.  More headlocks.  At one point, Canelo was just standing there with Char under his arm.  Canelo got in a good gut shot.  Char took a huge swing at Canelo’s head, but missed.  Canelo.

 

Round 11

Canelo drove Char into a post.  They have to be broken up a couple of times.  Both fighters were looking tired, as was everybody watching, which you might guess from the yawning.  Canelo.

 

Round 12

More headlocks.  The fighters were leaning on each other.  The crowd was booing a bit, as they now all realized they’d been had.  Char did unload at one point and the crowd took to its feet.  Finally, the fighters just sort of stood around (literally) and ran out the clock.  Canelo.

 

Well, at least everyone got what they wanted, except for a good fight, and that was a Canelo victory.  He posed at the turnbuckle and got a cheer from the crowd.  There was a unanimous decision and everyone agreed that the fight sucked.  Then the judges unanimously ruled that Canelo won (duh).  TV Azteca talked over the Jim Gray interview.  One of the commentators then talked to Canelo over the ropes afterward.  The interviewer called the fight “Absolute domination.”  Canelo said the key to his victory was “Patience.”  I’d also add the audience’s patience.