Canelo Alvarez has added another legendary feat to his storied career.
After a competitive 10 rounds, Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) landed a left hook on Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) that proved to be the beginning of the end. Plant answered a standing eight-count, but was easy pickings for pickings for Alvarez after that knockdown and Alvarez poured it on to earn the TKO victory at the 1:05 mark of Round 11.
With the victory, Alvarez added Plant’s IBF title to the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts that he brought with him to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Alvarez became the first undisputed Mexican champion, the first boxer ever to unify the super middleweight titles in the four-belt era, and just the sixth man to become an undisputed champion in the four-belt era. He joins Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Terence Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk, and Josh Taylor in accomplishing this feat.
Plant put on a good showing, using his size and reach to give Alvarez problems early, but it was Alvarez who consistently landed the power shots. While Plant utilized his jab to control the distance, he couldn’t keep Alvarez from repeatedly getting inside and digging to the body. As the bout progressed, Alvarez also continued to find a home for the left hook that would eventually seal Plant’s fate.
Alvarez wasn’t pitching a shutout heading into the final two rounds, but it did appear that he was up on the scorecards. When he finished Plant in the 11th, it marked the first loss of Plant’s career.
Post-fight, Alvarez acknowledged the magnitude of his latest win.
“It means so much to the history of Mexico to be the undisputed champion,” Alvarez said via a translator. “We’re only six. It keeps me happy, very motivated to be one of the six undisputed champions of the world.”
Alvarez also sought to squash the beef between him and Plant, praising Plant’s performance and apologizing for the personal insults that were exchanged in the lead-up to Saturday’s fight.
“My respect for Caleb Plant, he’s a very difficult fighter,” Alvarez said. “He has a lot of ability. I do respect the fighters.”
Asked what was next for him, Alvarez said he needed to rest and did not commit to a title defense or the possibility of moving up a division to seek more gold.
