Canelo Alvarez Destroys Liam Smith With A Bodyshot Knockout

Canelo Alvarez stops Liam Smith with a beautiful body shot in round 9 #CaneloSmith #boxing pic.twitter.com/AAdPbnR2o4

— Frontproof Media (@FrontProofMedia) September 18, 2016

Canelo Alvarez returned to the ring for the first time since dropping his WBC middleweight title to Gennady Golovkin (via ducking him), and grabbed the WBC light middleweight title from Liam Smith in a surprisingly good fight. Of course, it ended how many expected, with Canelo’s hand raised and Smith on the mat.

Canelo started quickly, and looked fantastic in the first round. His strikes were crisp and fast. He changed levels at ease, and was picking apart Smith. who looked completely outclassed and outpowered.

Throughout the first minutes of the battle, Canelo’s shots were pushing Smith around the ring. The ripping body shots by Canelo were crushing the ribs and liver of Smith, who was taking them, but wouldn’t for long. As the minutes went on, however, the soon-to-be former champ would lumber forward, and Canelo would be cut at the end of the second round.

Into the third, Canelo would continue working his superior combinations and hurt Smith with overwhelming shots. But into the 4th and 5th, Canelo would slow and let Smith back into the fight somewhat. Smith was landing lighter shots, but was starting to open up. Typically, that’s what Canelo wants as a counter-striker. but still, Canelo was taking damage. Of course, that didn’t mean Smith was winning. Not at all.

In the 7th round all of the body shots would finally add up — Smith would get knocked down for the first time in his career. And yet, that only seemed to light a fire under him. The British champion would start throwing power shots and looked like he was inviting Canelo to send him out on his shield. This was perfect for Canelo’s game. The early rounds were paying off.

Then, in round 8, Canelo would send Smith down again with a body shot.

https://twitter.com/nico_utc/status/777365540205649920

And in the 9th, Canelo put him down for good with another liver shot. This was a brilliant, dominant performance by Canelo.