Canelo Alvarez captures the WBA regular super middleweight title with a victory over Rocky Fielding at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.<\/b>
\nCanelo Alvarez just won the easiest \u00ab\u00a0world\u00a0\u00bb title in his long and successful career.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 14: Competing for the WBA Super Middleweight title, Canelo Alvarez of Mexico and Rocky Fielding of England pose together on the scale during the official weigh-in at Madison Square Garden on December 14,2018, in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier\/Getty Images) photo credit: Getty Images Getty
The 28-year-old WBC and WBA champion added the WBA \u00ab\u00a0regular\u00a0\u00bb super middleweight title to his resume. Alvarez walked through Rocky Fielding in three rounds like an overmatched sparring partner on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Quite honestly, this wasn’t a good fight.
Alvarez ripped left hooks to the body and folded Fielding like a lawn chair. In the very first round, Alvarez dropped Fielding with a body shot. Fielding had a delayed reaction but went to one knee to recuperate. He’d do this two more times before the referee stepped in to call a halt to the bout.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Rocky Fielding #CaneloRocky pic.twitter.com\/u7KU17t0bn
\u2014 ZombieProphet (@GIFsZP) December 16,2018
Rocky Fielding essentially donated his world title to Canelo today. You\u2019ll never see a happier person to have just lost a world title. He\u2019d accepted his fate a long time ago. Oh well, collect that check and be on your way. #CaneloRocky
\u2014 Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) December 16,2018
I probably gave Fielding too much credit. He has absolutely nothing to keep Canelo off https:\/\/t.co\/lWnIfGxQvf
\u2014 Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) December 16,2018
Fielding is definitely tough and he at least entertained me in getting his ass kicked.
Now… Canelo vs. Jacobs please.
\u2014 Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) December 16,2018
Despite Alvarez coming up in weight, this was one of the biggest mismatches we’ve seen this year. Here’s how the boxing community and media reacted to Alvarez’s win:
Lots of talk from DAZN broadcast about Canelo at 168, but this was a one-off for now. Canelo will return May 4 to defend @ringmagazine middleweight championship. Matchup at 168 with Callum Smith intriguing down the line #CaneloFielding
\u2014 Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) December 16,2018
Rocky Fielding looked at his corner like, \u201cwould you PLEASE stop this?\u201d #canelovsrocky #canelo
\u2014 Robert Flores (@RoFlo) December 16,2018
Fielding was going to lose this fight no matter what he did, but he didn’t project a competitive image. He looked relieved the fight was over and smiled throughout the short but definitive beatdown. There’s something about that look that will always leave fans feeling a little dissatisfied.
The victory for Alvarez pushes his record to (51-1-2). The title, though not a legitimate world title, is a championship in a third weight class.
The finish was Alvarez’s first since he stopped Liam Smith in September 2016. Options are aplenty for the Mexican superstar.
He could entertain a third fight with Gennady Golovkin. However, if he only wants to look to unify the middleweight division, all of the 160-pound champions are signed to Matchroom Boxing, which also has a deal with DAZN.
Theoretically, that should make the negotiations with IBF champion Daniel Jacobs or WBO titleholder Demetrius Andrade easier. Many, including me, would love to see Canelo face WBC interim champion Jermall Charlo. That’s a difficult fight to make because Charlo is signed with Premier Boxing Champions and linked to the new FOX deal.
Alvarez could also continue to challenge for 168-pound titles.
The WBC 168-pound title is vacant, so there is an opportunity there. Callum Smith is the WBA Super champion. With Alvarez capturing this regular belt it would presumably set him up to challenge Smith for the Super belt.
Matching Alvarez with Jose Uzcategui or Gilberto Ramirez could be more difficult because both men are signed to Top Rank Boxing, which has its broadcast\/stream rights with ESPN.
Fielding came in as a massive underdog despite enjoying a considerable height advantage. His record drops to 27-2 with his only losses coming to Alvarez and Liam Smith. Expect to see him lower on an undercard in his next fight.
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