Canelo Alvarez unifies super middleweight division with crushing knockout victory over Caleb Plant

Call him undisputed.

WBC, WBA, and IBF titleholder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez became the first fighter in the history of the super middleweight division to claim all four title belts by stopping former WBO champion Caleb Plant in round 11 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Saturday night.

The time was 1:05 seconds into round 11. All three ringside judges had Alvarez winning the fight at the time of the stoppage.

The grudge fight got off to a slow start. For all the yacking, respect was evident. Alvarez,31, moved to his left while Plant fired jabs up and down. Alvarez was bobbing – he connected with a right. He dug to the body. Plant,29, landed a quick right hand. Plant, three inches taller and with an advantage in reach, was busy in round two - connecting with a left hook. Alvarez worked the body and head. Plant stuck out his jab-Alvarez clipped him with a chopping right.

The slick Plant did well in the opening seconds of round three. Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) stalked and looked to rock. He landed a left and right. Plant jabbed, Alvarez dug two shots to the belly. Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) looked to counter. Plant connected with a dip and rip jab in round four. Alvarez fired his jab. He then forced Plant into the ropes and unloaded. Plant jabbed and jabbed. Alvarez clobbered Plant with a left hook.

Plant did well again in the first minute of round five. Alvarez ate a right but landed two left hooks. Plant jabbed; Alvarez connected with a shot to the ear. Plant moved to his left and right, Alvarez pursued.

The fight was competitive and close.

In round six, Plant came out firing combinations, but nothing landed. Alvarez let fly with a double left hook.

Seconds later, he jarred Plant with an uppercut. Plant was showing a good chin. Alvarez bobbed and weaved. Both champions connected with good lefts in round seven. Alvarez pounded Plant with a left hook at the bell.

Weeks ago, Alvarez said he would knock out Plant in round eight.

He fired hard left hooks. Plant fought back. He landed a cute right to the body. Alvarez worked Plant on the ropes. Alvarez landed another left on the jaw. No problem for Plant, at least not yet.

In round nine, Alvarez worked well on the inside. Plant moved to his left and right - connecting with a right cross. He moved his hands some more. The blows weren’t bothering Alvarez - who popped Plant with hooks. Plant landed a right and solid jab.

Plant started well in round 10. Alvarez pushed him to the ropes and let his hands go. Plant rolled away. Alvarez worked downstairs. He cracked Plant with three shots-the the last one to the head.

Alvarez upped the ante in round 11. He was dipping and ripping. A big left hook, followed by an uppercut, put Plant down. The hurt fighter got up. He staggered. Alvarez chased after him and unleashed. Two big right hands crumbled Plant for a second time.

Referee Russell Mora glanced at the prone Plant – who was trying to get up and waved the fight off.

“I want to thank everybody tonight,” said Alvarez. “My respect for Caleb Plant. He has a lot of ability. We’re men at the end. Everything is ok.”