Canelo Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 KOs) made quick work of former Super Middleweight WBA regular titlist Rocky Fielding (27-2, 15 KOs) on Saturday, December 15, 2018 from Madison Square Garden.
Alvarez punished Fielding from the very beginning with body shots and dropped his man in the very first round. From there it was the beginning of the end for Rocky. The second round began with the much shorter Alvarez stalking his opponent.
He forced the champion against the ropes while landing those thudding attacks to the body. Rocky seemed to be taking the shots better in the second round and even let off a few counter shots of his own until another body shot from Canelo landed and dropped the Liverpool man.
The third was where we saw Canelo become his most aggressive. A consistent attack to the body followed by several shots upstairs saw the champion hit the deck yet again.
He managed to beat the count once more, but Canelo stepped on the gas and put his man down for the fourth and final time. The referee mercifully waved off the match to crown Canelo the new WBA champion at Super Middleweight.
The Winning Moment For @Canelo #CaneloRocky pic.twitter.com/rpOhtmUBPX
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) December 16, 2018
The question for Canelo is always what’s next. Before his matchup with Fielding he declared that 168 would just be a one off and that he would return to 160. However, after the contest his promoter Oscar De La Hoya seemed confident that his fighter could indeed campaign at Super Middleweight.
“I feel confident in Canelo at Super Middleweight,” said De La Hoya during the post-fight presser. “Before tonight I wasn’t sure if Canelo would be able to manage all of the weight but he looked great in there. I’m just amazed at how he continues to get better every time in there.”
Canelo on the other hand wanted to wait and see before declaring if he would continue to stay at the weight.
“We’ll have to see,” said Canelo. “I have to talk to my team, enjoy the holiday and then I’ll talk to my team. Right now without a doubt what I want are the best fights.”
Canelo will forever be linked to Gennady Golovkin. They engaged in two terrific fights. The possibility of a third will always be intriguing. Canelo seemed open to the idea of facing his long-time foe once more.
“For me I feel like on September 15 I showed that I was the best,” said Canelo. “But it was two great fights. If the people want it we can make it.”
Canelo has many options for his future bouts. He can be possibly matched up with anyone from 160 to 168. Fighters such as Danny Jacobs, GGG and Jermall Charlo will be waiting for him in the land of the Middleweights.
Gilberto Ramirez, Callum Smith and several others will be awaiting his arrival if he chooses to stick at 168. No matter the route he chooses he will face a number of tough challenges.
For Canelo however these challenges have never deterred him. He has always chosen to fight the best and will continue to do so.
Forget about the future at this moment. For now let him soak up his victory. He has become just the ninth Mexican fighter in boxing history to win a world title in three separate weight divisions.
His future may seem treacherous, but his present should be filled with his moment of glory.
