Canelo Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev results: Canelo a four-division champ after 11th-round KO

Chris Walker

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Canelo Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev results: Canelo a four-division champ after 11th-round KO image

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez’s inaugural flirt with the 175-pound division was a successful one, as he stole Sergey Kovalev’s WBO title with a stunning 11th-round stoppage. In what was a tactical battle from the outset, both men demonstrated incredible levels of skill, and with the fight heading toward a tight finish, Alvarez found enough to flip it in his favor.

Much had been made about the task facing Alvarez because of Kovalev’s advantages in size and power, but the Mexican icon appeared to have him worked out by halfway through the bout. Kovalev rallied brilliantly as the fight reached the business end, and when discussions were being formed on how the scorecards might look, Alvarez unleashed a left hook that rendered the judges useless as he became a four-division world champion.

Afterward, Canelo was not eager to pinpoint his next move, but after enhancing his legacy with another remarkable win, it's fair to assume that he'll relish whatever challenge awaits him. With a current stake in three divisions, Canelo has a ton of options awaiting him, but for now, time should be spent applauding his mastery instead of speculating on who he may fight next.

As for Kovalev, he now has a big decision to make. A narrow loss on the scorecards may have bought him a campaign for a justified rematch, but the way he was stopped might persuade him to draw the curtains on what has been a wonderful career.

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Canelo Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev results

Round 11: It’s all over with a shot that came from nowhere. Kovalev got caught with a left hand, and it was over the moment it landed. An emphatic ending to what was a quiet, tactical fight. Despite the lack of action, that was a stunning finish from Canelo.

Round 10: Canelo a little desperate with the occasional wide swing. Kovalev just shades the round with a decent last minute. (10-9 Kovalev, 95-95)

Round 9: Canelo taking more risks, but he’s been caught by Kovalev, who seems to be enjoying himself. Kovalev takes the round by throwing more. (10-9 Kovalev, 86-85 Canelo)

Round 8: Kovalev has responded well to McGirt’s instructions. He's letting his hands go more and has scored with several shots. Kovalev needed a round like this. His best round of the fight. (10-9 Kovalev, 77-75 Canelo)

Round 7: Canelo fighting like he’s the bigger man, and that’s bad news for Kovalev. Canelo is getting close, and he’s controlling the majority of the action by dictating the pace. (10-9 Canelo, 68-65 Canelo)

Round 6: Kovalev appears to be running out of ideas. Canelo is getting closer each round, and he’s landing more frequently. The most dominant round of the fight so far, and it goes to the Mexican. (10-9 Canelo, 58-56 Canelo)

Round 5: Canelo seems to be searching for the perfect shot. Left-hook and right-hand combination from Canelo stands out as Kovalev still paws with jab. (10-9 Canelo, 48-47 Canelo)

Round 4: Canelo getting busy with the left hook in the fourth session as he lands a couple to begin round. Kovalev reliant on a feeble jab. Hard rounds to score, but more intent from Canelo in that stanza. (10-9 Canelo, 38-38)

Round 3: Canelo setting traps and punishing Kovalev on the odd occasion. Canelo’s high guard a problem for Kovalev, who just can't seem to breach it. Kovalev’s greater industry shades him the round. (Kovalev 10-9, Kovalev 29-28)

Round 2: Canelo only aiming for the body. Jab feints upstairs, then several attacks to the midsection. Still very quiet, but a better round for Canelo, who lands with a few body shots. (10-9 Canelo, 19-19)

Round 1: Kovalev touches with the jab in the fight’s first minute. Canelo lunges with a couple of power shots. Quiet opener probably swayed by Kovalev’s busier work. (10-9 Kovalev)

1:12 a.m.: Canelo is on his way to the ring. He’s aiming to become world champion in a fourth weight division, and his lengthy credentials are being displayed on the big screen to those in attendance.

1:07 a.m.: Kovalev confirms his position as the "B" side by walking to the ring first despite being the defending champion.

12:58 a.m.: Our main event is almost here. National anthems are currently taking place in the ring. Fans have waited a long time for this fight. Kovalev is shown on big screen hitting the pads of Buddy McGirt.

12:45 a.m.: Is frustration setting in for either fighter? A lengthy delay while waiting for UFC 244 to end means that both fighters have been prepared for well over an hour. How will this impact their mindset heading into the eagerly anticipated battle?

Buddy McGirt is no stranger to what could occur tonight. Back in 2006, McGirt was Antonio Tarver's trainer when Tarver gave up his 175-pound supremacy to Bernard Hopkins. "The Executioner" was making his debut at light heavyweight after a lengthy run at 160 pounds. McGirt will be praying history doesn’t repeat.

Ryan Garcia stops Romero Duno

Round 1: Garcia's long arms come into play early, and then he finds a stunning shot to end the fight. That’s how you answer your critics. Duno is receiving medical attention as Garcia is mobbed by Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins.

A beaming Garcia watches the stoppage in his postfight interview and is pleased with what he sees. He says it’s an honor to train alongside Canelo and thanks his entire team. Garcia welcomes better competition in 2020.

11:31 p.m. We’re now ready for the night's chief support. Romero Duno and Ryan Garcia have made their way to the ring.

11:15 p.m. Up next is Ryan Garcia vs. Romero Duno. Garcia’s profile grow massively this year thanks to his social media platforms, but now is the time for him to be judged for his fighting prowess. A solid win tonight can provide a platform for bigger fights, but more difficult tasks lie beyond Duno in 2020. Can Garcia close the year in style, or is Duno going to expose his hype? We’ll find out shortly.

Seniesa Estrada defeats Marlen Esparza for WBA interim women's flyweight title

We finally get the official word following a lengthy delay for negotiations between officials. Scorecards are 90-81, 89-82 and 88-83 in favor of Estrada. The action was stopped before the 10th round because of a hellacious cut to Esparza following an accidental clash of heads.

Estrada said after the fight that she is old school and would love to fight 15 rounds. She’s insistent that she wants belts.

Esparza apologized to the crowd for not answering the bell for final round. She said she was surprised by the one-sidedness of the scorecards and that she’d welcome a rematch.

10:45 p.m. The fight has been halted because of the cut. Estrada is celebrating, but we'll go the scorecards because the laceration was caused by a head-butt.

10:44 p.m. Heading into the final round, you have to assume that Estrada is ahead. Esparza has been ridiculously brave, but she has struggled to put together two good consecutive rounds. Estrada has had the last word on most of the exchanges, and she should be ahead as we approach the final stretch.

10:39 p.m. Extreme naivete from Esparza: she is caught with several shots while complaining to the referee about an Estrada head-butt. A little over two rounds remain in this bloody encounter, and Estrada looks the freshest.

10:37 p.m. When it appeared Esparza was on the way out, she produces a useful round that was full of industry. A lot of cheerleading now going on in her corner as her trainer gives her instructions.

10:33 p.m.: Esparza is displaying signs of distress as she slumps on her stool after Round 6. Is she feeling the pace after what has been a grueling battle?

10:27 p.m. Disaster strikes for Esparza; she’s cut from a head-butt halfway through Round 5. We’ve passed four rounds, so if the cut becomes too problematic to continue, we’ll go to the scorecards early. The cut man in Esparza’s corner is in for a busy night.

10:15 p.m. It has been a lively start from both fighters as they look to make an early impression. The left hand from Esparza has been the fight’s most dominant feature.

10:05 p.m.: There's decent applause inside the venue as Seniesa Estrada and Marlen Esparza are introduced to the crowd before their WBA interim women's flyweight title clash.

Blair Cobbs stops Carlos Ortiz, claims NABF title

9:45 p.m.: Cobbs def. Ortiz by TKO at 3:00 of the sixth round to win the vacant NABF welterweight championship. 

Ortiz dropped Cobbs at the end of the first round, but Cobbs made sure to stay away from Ortiz's left hand after that. Cobbs knocked down Ortiz in the sixth round, and after going to his corner, Ortiz could not come out for Round 7. The body shots added were too much for him to continue. 

Undercard

Evan Holyfield def. Nick Winstead by TKO at 0:16 of the first round

Holyfield, the son of boxing legend Evander Holyfield, went right at Winstead and dropped him almost immediately. Winstead got up, but the referee stopped the four-round fight. 

Other undercard results

  • Bakhram Murtazaliev def. Jorge Fortea by unanimous decision (120-108, 119-109, 118-110); junior middleweights.
  • Tristan Kalkreuth def. Twon Smith via unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 39-37); cruiserweights.
  • Meiirim Nursultanov def. Cristian Olivas by unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 100-90); middleweights.

What time does the Canelo vs. Kovalev fight start?

Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev are expected to make their ring walks around 12:15 a.m. ET, although the exact time depends on the earlier bouts. It will also depend on the UFC 244 card, as Canelo-Kovalev will start after UFC wraps up its main event. 

The entertaining road to Canelo-Kovalev includes Seniesa Estrada facing Marlen Esparza for the WBA interim women's flyweight title, and rising star Ryan Garcia taking on Romero Duno in the co-main event. 

The entire undercard is free to view across DAZN's  Twitter , Facebook and YouTube platforms between 6:30 and 9 p.m. ET. A live feed is included below.

Canelo vs. Kovalev undercard

Matchup Class Belt
Canelo Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev Light heavyweight WBO
Ryan Garcia vs. Romero Duno Lightweight ...
Seniesa Estrada vs. Marlen Esparza Women's flyweight WBA (interim)
Blair Cobbs vs. Carlos Ortiz Welterweight ...
Evan Holyfield vs. Nick Winstead Jr. middleweight ...
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Jorge Fortea Jr. middleweight ...
Tristan Kalkreuth vs. Twon Smith Cruiserweight ...
Meiirim Nursultanov vs. Cristian Olivas Middleweight ...

Chris Walker