Canelo Alvarez looked dominant in beating up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. over 12 rounds. While the fight was billed as a battle of the best Mexico has to offer, Canelo took 120-108 in all cards to dispatch Chavez.
Watch live: Golovkin and Canelo address their September fight
Alvarez dominates Chavez; announces fight with Golovkin in September
Canelo Alvarez elevated himself to the pride of Mexico and the face of boxing Saturday in a thorough destruction of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Relying on the benefits of his intense training and flashing the machismo the sport’s most passionate fans thirst for, Alvarez delivered an onslaught of heavy punches to the son of his boxing hero, then announced he was taking on a Sept.16 super-fight against unbeaten three-belt middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.
The contract for the bout is signed, a promotional official confirmed.
Golovkin and Canelo to fight September 16th
This is amazing. Gennedy Golovkin is in the house and he is coming towards the ring to Seven Nation Army.
This is WWE-level stuff. Amazing promotion. This made the fight worth it.
You have to hand it to Golden Boy Promotions. People here are stunned to see both boxers in the ring.
The fight has been announced for September 16th, Mexican Independence Day.
The venue hasn’t been announced yet but it makes sense that it is in Vegas, right back here at T-Mobile Arena.
Canelo dominates Chavez, winning all 12 rounds
Round 12: Canelo shutouts Chavez
Chavez just landed the best punch of the last several round for him, but Canelo didn’t even flinch.
Crowd is booing and some have started leaving early. Not one of the most memorable fights here. Just total domination by Canelo.
So this set up the Golovkin fight now. Crowd is angry that Canelo isn’t finishing this fight.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (120-108)
Round 11: Canelo looking for the shutout against Chavez
Canelo just continues to pepper that swollen left eye. The crowd still not happy with the fight.
This is playing out exactly as Dylan Hernandez said. This is more about a party then a fight.
Rinse and repeat in the 11th.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 (110-99 Canelo)
Round 10: Canelo continues dominating the fight
Fans are getting restless and want to see this end, I think. They know what they are seeing. Strong body punches to Chavez’s midsection.
It’s hard to find new words to describe what is happening now. Just a repeat of the last nine rounds.
Boos from the crowd. I’m assuming it’s because they wanted a more competitive fight.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (100-90)
Round 9: Canelo just toying with Chavez
Canelo just landing big combination and is inviting action again. He wants to give the fans something to cheer for. He seems content resting on the ropes.
Canelo starting to work the body a little more. Canelo’s left can land whenever he wants it to. It looks like Canelo is toying with Chavez and wants to inflict as much punishment as possible.
Easy round for Canelo.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (90-82 Canelo)
Slide show: Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez go toe to toe
Round 8:The dominance continues for Canelo
The arena DJ is trying to get the crowd into it since they know they are watch a really one-sided fight. Give Chavez credit he is taking a beating but not going down.
Canelo knows that Chavez can’t hurt him at this point. He is taking punches against the ropes looking for an opening. Crowd not happy and is whistling their displeasure. They really wanted Chavez to show up tonight. Didn’t happen.
Canelo loaded up on a right hand near the 1:00 mark. Another one for Canelo. Adrian Gonzalez will be happy.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 (80-73 Canelo)
Round 7: Canelo as strong as ever in seventh
Strong combination by Canelo at start of round and this could be the last round. Canelo is just snapping lefts.
Canelo seems like he is inviting the action. Every time Chavez rattles of a combination, Canelo responds with a quick and stronger combination.
Canelo is beating Chavez senseless. Chavez’s eye is really swollen. Not really any other way to put this. Canelo is dominating.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (70-63 Canelo)
Round 6: Canelo keeps it going and is control
Really just seems like one punch is the only way Chavez is going to win. He simply has no answer for Canelo. Chavez’s left eye looks pretty swollen. And Canelo just continues to pound it.
If Canelo connects on any of these uppercuts then this fight is over. Canelo seems to be asking Chavez to come at him. He is just standing in the corner and Chavez is hesitant.
Another good round for Canelo
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (60-54)
Round 5: Canelo turning Chavez into punching bag
Canelo is really pounding Chavez to the head and the body. Canelo is looking to really set the uppercut. Canelo just looks so workman-like right now - methodical.
Strong right by Canelo and Chavez is taking a punishment. Strong uppercut rocks Canelo and some swelling has appeared over Chavez’s eye.
Chavez missed with a big hook that drew some oohs from the crowd.
Another good round for Canelo.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (50-46 Canelo)
Round 4: Canelo continues to dominate
Canelo is peppering Chavez. This fight won’t last long if this continues. Chavez is looking like a punching bag right now.
Canelo starts working the body a bit Big right by Canelo and Chavez is in trouble. Nice three punch combination by Canelo.
Crowd is suddenly on Canelo’s side. Another round were Canelo has just beaten Chavez up.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (40-36)
Round 3: Best round of fight goes to Canelo
When Chavez tries to come in, Canelo is getting with a stiff left. Canelo is looking very comfortable, he’s dictating fight.
Nice uppercut by Canelo. Chavez’s bigger size doesn’t seem to be bothering Canelo. Chavez trying to work the body.
Two strong rights rocked Chavez. Canelo in control. Good action in the third. Canelo’s round.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 (Canelo 30-27)
Round 2: Good action and Canelo lands more power punches
Chavez much more active this round in early going with a nice combination.
First big cheer of the night with a nice combination and upper cut by Canelo. Both figthers seem content hanging in the middle of the ring.
Nice four punch combination by Chavez was the best of the fight with about 1:30 left in the round. Big right missed by Canelo.
Very nice response from Canelo with strong right to the face. Nice left by Canelo. he took Chavez’s best and came back nicely.
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo (20-18 Canelo)
Round 1:Slow round goes to Canelo
Canelo gets the first good punch in with the right to the face but a lof bouncing around in the middle of the ring. Canelo way more active, but Chavez gets in a nice uppercut.
Both fighters measuring themselves in the center of the ring. Crowd breaks out into a really loud Canelo chant which is the best support he’s gotten all week, frankly.
Nice left jab by Chavez with a minute left. Good right by Canelo
L.A. Times Card: 10-9 Canelo
National anthems have been sung; fighters entering ring
Behind the scenes in Chavez’s locker room before the fight
Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. fight still over an hour away; crowd is ready for a party
About an hour and a half from the Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight, T-Mobile Arena is about 90% full and the crowd is ready for a party.
Between the final rounds of the last undercard bout before the big fight, the arena DJ is playing banda music and crowd goes nuts.
There are chants of “Chavez†that break out between rounds and a much more muted version for Canelo. The Canelo chants are usually met with boos.
The only thing the crowd can agree on is when they all start a ‘Mexico’ chant.
The fight is still set to start around 9:30 p.m. or so.
Canelo gets an early round of boos from Las Vegas crowd
One of the interesting things to watch this week is the support from the Mexican fight fans for Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
With two of Mexico’s biggest names in the ring, the question is who are the majority of Mexican fight fans rooting for.
From the amount of Chavez Jr. shirts and headbands seen on the streets of the Las Vegas Strip and the crowd reaction during the weigh-in, it would seem pretty clear who the rooting favorite would be inside T-Mobile Arena.
The first indication of what is to come was Alvarez’s entrance into the arena, which was shown on the big screen. The majority of fans inside the arena at 6:30 p.m. gave Canelo a healthy round of boos.
We’ll see what happens when Chavez makes the walk into T-Mobile Arena.
(UPDATE)
Adrian Gonzalez sends video shoutout to Canelo Alvarez
Canelo vs. Chavez Jr.: Undercard fights done; still over an hour away to main event
Here is the list of the fights on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. card.
Expect Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. to start around 9:30 p.m.
Joseph Diaz Jr. (23-0) vs. Manuel “Tino†Avila (22-0)
Lucas Matthysse (37-4) vs. Emmanuel Taylor (20-4)
David Lemieux (37-3) vs. Marcos Reyes (35-4)
Canelo Alvarez (48-1-1) vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (50-2-1)
The walk into the T-Mobile Arena for Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. fight
Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. : L.A. Times fight predictions
LANCE PUGMIRE
The road to victory for Canelo Alvarez over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is paved by his consistent, intense work ethic over the years.
Chavez failed to match that effort, and as the pivotal moments that dictate a bout’s outcome pile up in a fight expected to reach the heavy waters of the late rounds, Alvarez’s attention to detail should decide things.
Alvarez may weigh 15 to 20 pounds less than former middleweight champion Chavez when they step in the ring. Chavez will seek to use that as a route to win, but Alvarez’s speed, sophistication and power are formidable enough to discourage and overwhelm his Mexican countryman.
I’m picking Canelo Alvarez to defeat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by 10th-round technical knockout.
DYLAN HERNANDEZ
Canelo Alvarez is a world-class fighter. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. isn’t. The gap in technical ability should more than make up for the size advantage Chavez figures to have tonight.
Alvarez is slow-footed, which has made him vulnerable against elusive fighters. But Chavez isn’t the kind of boxer who uses his length to stick and move.
Alvarez and Chavez should spend the majority of the time in close quarters, where Alvarez’s superior handspeed, combination punching and defense will give him an edge. Chavez is counting on being able to overpower Alvarez, but does he have the skill necessary to inflict serious damage? I wouldn’t count on it.
Chavez inherited a granite chin from his father. That, coupled with the extra pounds he will be carrying, could allow him to survive 12 rounds. But to reach the final bell, he’ll have to take a serious beating.
Alvarez by decision.
What time does the Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight start?
The fight between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez on Saturday night from Las Vegas will start around 9:15 p.m., depending on the timing of the undercard fights.
The card will be on pay-per-view through HBO and will begin at 6:30 p.m.
LIVE: Reporter roundtable on Canelo vs. Chavez Jr.
Canelo and Chavez Jr. make weight for fight at 164 pounds
Will Canelo sidestep Golovkin in favor of Lemieux?
David Lemieux is less than two months removed from delivering a knockout-of-the-year punch. He’s a former world champion with a winning personality.
For the fight fans pressing for a Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin bout in September, however, the mere mention of Lemieux’s name is one of the sport’s most distasteful happenings.
Canada’s Lemieux (37-3, 33 knockouts) is considered the No. 1 fallback option as an Alvarez opponent should negotiations with Golovkin go south.
Surprisingly – and suspiciously – Lemieux and Alvarez’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, rushed Lemieux back into a Saturday co-main event bout against Mexico’s Marco Reyes (35-4, 26 KOs) on the Alvarez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. card at T-Mobile Arena.
On March 11, while hammering Curtis Stevens with a third-round knockout punch, Lemieux posted his third consecutive victory since turning over his International Boxing Federation middleweight belt to Golovkin by technical knockout in October 2015.
“Instead of sitting and doing nothing for months, he had a chance to come right back … he’s taking a fight that’s not a walkover until the mega-fight happens, whether it’s Canelo, this guy or that guy,†said Golden Boy Promotions executive Bernard Hopkins. “I believe [Golovkin] and Canelo should fight this year, but if [Alvarez-Lemieux] happens before, I wouldn’t be surprised [if Lemieux] wins big.â€
Those are haunting words for the Alvarez-Golovkin pushers, but Lemieux contends he’s elevating to being more prepared for his next major bout.
“I’ve grown since that [loss to Golovkin] and I know how to adapt to a fight like that,†he said. “Something like that fight will never happen again in my future. I’ve learned in many ways, mentally and physically, and it’s made me better.
“It’s been a big turnaround with my team, learning how to beat guys of that magnitude. Golovkin will never be an easy fight, but if I fight him at my peak and best, he’s beatable and I feel I have everything it takes to beat him.â€
One alternate possibility is a date with World Boxing Organization champion Billy Joe Saunders.
“For sure, I would love to fight him for his belt if the deal is right,†Lemieux said. “I would never say no to an opportunity to fight for the belt. I’m already in good position with the way I fight. Fans know what I bring to the table. But the belt is always a nice add-on to your stature.â€
Hopkins acted as if the suggestion for Saunders by The Times was a new consideration. But he was receptive.
“I would love to see [Saunders] next,†Hopkins said. “That would be a great fight going into 2018. I’m going to give that name [much consideration] since that’s the name you want to see, and a fight a lot of other fans want to see. It sets up everything because it sets up the unifications … I’m going to use that name more and take all the credit.â€
Crowd fills up MGM Grand Garden Arena before weigh-in
Four hours before the 2 p.m. weigh-in for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight, the crowds waiting to enter the MGM Grand Garden Arena were hundreds deep.
The official weigh-in is free to the public, and for many fight fans who have made their way to Las Vegas, this is the one opportunity to see Canelo and Chavez.
Tickets on the resale market were upward of $500 on StubHub for what is expected to be one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
As the crowds started filling in, they were met by opportunities to spend $30 on T-shirts and $20 on hats and posters.
Merchandise sales inside MGM Arena before the weigh-in
Huge crowd gathers before weigh-in for Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. fight
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on weight as weigh-in looms
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. jabbed his way through a shadow-boxing session early Friday morning, stepped on a personal scale and saw the number he needed: 164.5 pounds.
As Friday’s official weigh-in at 3 p.m. awaits, Chavez (50-2-1, 32 knockouts) is said to believe his commitment to reach the negotiated catch-weight limit for his Saturday HBO pay-per-view bout against Mexican countryman Canelo Alvarez(48-1-1, 34 KOs) foretells similar success in the T-Mobile Arena ring.
Chavez assistant manager Sean Gibbons said the fighter took no extreme short cuts to reaching the weight, like employing a sauna.
“It’s good for people to know he did it right, that, ‘You’re going to get your money’s worth,’†Gibbons said.
Chavez hasn’t weighed as little as 164.5 pounds since his 2012 middleweight-title unification loss to Sergio Martinez.
His uninspired devotion to the sport showed during subsequent weigh-in struggles and last-minute deal re-negotiations heaped doubt upon his ability to make the weight for Alvarez, who fought in September for a 154-pound world title.
If Chavez weighs anything above the catch-weight 164.5-pound limit later Friday, he’ll owe a $1 million penalty from his $3 million guaranteed purse.
Alvarez has a $5 million guarantee. Alvarez, with a victory, would move toward a September showdown against unbeaten three-belt middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin in September, said his promoter, Eric Gomez.
But Chavez’s seriousness even as he remains a 6/1 underdog is a point driving interest in the Cinco de Mayo weekend bout.
Chavez could rehydrate up to possibly 190 pounds by Saturday night, saying he’ll seek to use the advantage to bully Alvarez while sending heavy punches his rival’s way.
“He’s getting it out there: ‘I’m for real,’†Gibbons said. “At no point did he ever have stress making the weight, nor did he put his body through any physical duress.
“For the fans of Julio, he dedicated himself to making the weight correctly. He put in the time. He put in the work. Because he wants to give his fans a victory Saturday night.â€
So who is Mexico rooting for in this fight? Well, it’s complicated
Whatever his shortcomings, Canelo Alvarez is Mexico’s top fighter. He takes his work seriously. He has consistently improved. While he has received criticism for delaying a showdown with Gennady Golovkin, he has a history of taking risks, evidenced by matchups with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout.
Opposite him Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena will be Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who has flunked drug tests, failed to control his weight and owes his standing in the sport almost entirely to his famous father.
So Alvarez is the overwhelming favorite not only at the sports book, but also in the hearts of fans, right?
Betting lines stick with Canelo as clear favorite
Inside the media work room at the MGM Grand for Canelo vs. Chavez Jr.
Promoters intensify efforts against pay-per-view pirates for Canelo-Chavez Jr. fight
Boxing promoters believe dampened pay-per-view sales are a byproduct of piracy by live-video platforms such as Facebook Live and Periscope.
Golden Boy Promotions is seeking to aggressively address the issue before Saturday night’s Canelo Alvarez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight at T-Mobile Arena.
“Along with HBO, who’s hired an anti-piracy company, we’ve invested additional money and hired a different company that concentrates solely on Facebook and Periscope,†Golden Boy President Eric Gomez said. “We have all the precautions in place.â€
Following the negative reaction to the disappointing Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight two years ago, which drew 4.6 million pay-per-view buys at record prices, no boxing pay-per-view has exceeded one million buys.
Alvarez’s November 2015 bout with Miguel Cotto had 900,000 buys, but his September victory over Liam Smith for a junior-middleweight belt had less than 300,000 buys, according to HBO.
Finding pay-per-view action on the live video outlets has been an easy pursuit, furthering the interest in avoiding costs like Saturday’s $59.95 pay-per-view.
“The anti-piracy companies have already sent Facebook and Periscope letters to let them know. … We’ve given them time to be on it and I believe we’ll be more successful,†Gomez said. “You can’t stop everything, but we feel comfortable we’ll stop most of them.â€
The issue has also raised the attention of former Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, whose Ringstar Sports has begun promoting bouts involving Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions products.
“The question is what’s the answer?†Schaefer said. “We’ve established anti-piracy centers before to stop illegal streams. … There has to be more proactive measures taken, including by the distributors — AT&T, Time Warner, DirecTV — to perhaps implement legal steps.â€
Facebook announced the hiring of additional personnel to limit live videos of violent acts. Schaefer said the scrutiny is also necessary to limit piracy.
“That’s exactly how you have to approach it,†Schaefer said. “Consumers have to know they can’t watch these pirated streams and then consider if they want to purchase the pay-per-view.â€
Is an all-L.A. title fight in the works?
Joseph Diaz Jr.’s pay-per-view-opening fight Saturday night on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. undercard could generate one of the most intriguing Southland battles this year.
South El Monte’s Diaz (23-0, 13 KOs) meets unbeaten Manuel Avila (22-0, 8 KOs) of Fairfield, Calif., in a featherweight bout that can enhance Diaz’s lofty World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council ratings.
Unbeaten Oscar Valdez, who resides in Lake Elsinore and trains in Carson, is the WBO featherweight champion. On April 22, Valdez successfully defended his belt in a gritty pay-per-view main event against Colombia’s Miguel Marriaga at StubHub Center.
“We’re going hard after that,†with a victory, Diaz promoter Eric Gomez said.
Diaz said a bout with Valdez is a natural.
“That’s what I want. If I get Valdez, we could sell out StubHub Center,†Diaz said.
Diaz had a taste of pay-per-view exposure in September, stopping Andrew Cancio by ninth-round technical knockout at AT&T Stadium in Texas, and followed that with a one-sided unanimous-decision victory in December.
This card could draw 1 million pay-per-view buys.
“This fight means everything to me,†said Diaz, who’s also rated behind No. 1 WBC contender Oscar Escandon, who fights champion Gary Russell Jr. later this month.
“Whoever makes me the mandatory, I want to fight for the title.â€
Diaz spent an extra two weeks training for Avila, focusing on inside fighting, cutting off the ring and strength training.
Canelo’s purse from fight against Chavez won’t be garnished, promoter says
Canelo Alvarez’s purse money from fighting Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday night will not be garnished to settle an $8.5-million legal judgment, Alvarez’s promoter said.
Tuto Zabala, Alvarez’s former promoter, was seeking to garnish Alvarez’s wages, but the fighter’s promoter said Thursday a legal team had stopped the attempt.
Gomez said pay-per-view profits will likely bump Alvarez’s purse from Saturday’s fight far beyond $8.5 million.
ESPN has quite the setup at Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. fight
Canelo Alvarez starts a war with the WBC
Boxing wouldn’t be boxing without a controversy involving one of the sport’s cartel-like sanctioning bodies.
So here we go again.
Leading up to his showdown against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday, Canelo Alvarez has declared war on the World Boxing Council, the Mexico City-based organization headed by President Mauricio Sulaiman.
De la Hoya: ‘the biggest fight in the history of Mexico’
Watch interview with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Watch Canelo Alvarez interview live from Las Vegas
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. wants fight against Canelo Alvarez to be epic, but his reputation precedes him
The week leading up to the most anticipated boxing match of the year started with a triumphant declaration from Mexico’s greatest champion.
“We’re ready for the fight,†Julio Cesar Chavez said in Spanish.
Chavez caught himself.
“My son Julio is ready, not me,†he added with a chuckle.