Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez suffers shock defeat in title clash

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Russian Dmitry Bivol successfully defends his WBA light heavyweight title with a win over Mexican pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez, who suffers just the second loss of his career; all three judges score the fight 115-113 in Bivol’s favour, who now has 20 wins from his 20 career fights.

Bivol secured a win by unanimous decision, successfully defending his WBA crown and handing Alvarez only the second loss of his career nine years on from his first at the hands of Floyd Mayweather.

All three judges scored the fight 115-113 in Bivol’s favour at the end of 12 rounds. His record now improves to 20 wins from 20 fights, while Alvarez – widely considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world before the bout – slips to 57-2-2.

“I’m glad I proved myself today, I’m the best in my division and I keep this belt,” Bivol said after the win. “He’s a great champion, I respect him and all his team.

“If you don’t believe in yourself what do you do? You achieve nothing. I believe and my team believed in me.

Alvarez has previously won at light heavyweight, defeating Sergey Kovalev by knockout to win the WBO title in 2019, but Bivol proved too much for the Mexican fighter to overcome.

“You have to accept it, it’s boxing,” Alvarez said of the loss. “He’s a great champion. Sometimes in boxing you win and lose and I’m not giving excuses. I lost today and he won.”

Alvarez stressed he wanted the pair to fight again, adding: “Of course I do. This doesn’t end like this.”

Bivol, too, is keen to face off once more. “Let’s talk about a rematch,” he said. “I wanted this fight because I wanted to get the opportunity and I appreciate this opportunity.

“I’m ready for a rematch, I just want to be treated as the champion now.”

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