Saul “Canelo” ALvarez thrilled over 30,000 people at Houston’s Minute Maid Park by turning on a sensational performance by stopping James Kirkland in round three of a scheduled 12-round Super Welterweight bout.
ALvarez came out throwing bombs and landing just about all of them as he landed some good head shots but started to break Kirkland’s body down until he landed a big right hand that sent Kirkland to deck in the first frame. Alvarez was all over Kirkland and landed some thudding shots that had Kirjland barely making it out of the round. In round two, Kirkland showed tremendous resolve as he kept Alvarez on the ropes for a good portion of the round. Alvarez was able to take the round with power shots.
In round three, Alvarez landed some solid shots to the head and then he landed a huge uppercut that dumped Kirkland on the canvas. Kirkland showed heart by getting up but then ate a vicious right hand that sprawled a bleeding Kirkland on the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:19.
Alvarez, 154 1/2 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 45-1-1 with 32 knockouts. Kirkland, 154 1/2 lbs of Austin, TX is now 32-2.
“This was one of the best knockouts of my career,” Canelo Alvarez said following the fight. “He came out with a little bit of a different style than I was expecting, but I was able to adjust and get the knockout. I knew he was strong fighter but he surprised me with his aggressiveness in the first and second round. I fight for the fans, and I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, anytime.” Alvarez connected on an astounding 60 percent of his power shots, landing 79 of them inside of three rounds.
“I didn’t know I was knocked out,” said James Kirkland. “I had him trapped and hurt in the corner in the first round but he escaped, I had him hurt in the second also. He’s a great champion, I’m proud that I was able to compete in such a terrific event, and I hope to fight him again someday. I’m a warrior, I’ll be back.
“I’m proud of him, he’s a true warrior and I’m going to get him back with Ann Wolfe,” said Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Founder and Chairman of SMS Promotions, said of Kirkland after the fight.
“I am very happy about the fight, it was intense from round one. We want to thank Kirkland for taking this fight and for giving the fans an exciting night,” said Jose “Chepo” Reynoso, manager and trainer for Canelo Alvarez. “This fight showed the result of 17 intense weeks of training and we are very satisfied with the result.”
“I’m happy we won the fight,” said Eddy Reynoso, head trainer for Canelo Alvarez. “This is the result of a successful camp. Kirkland did surprise us in the beginning, but Canelo was able to find him and adjust to his rhythm and overpower him. I want to thank the team that made this fight happen and all the fans that continue to support us.”
With official attendance of 31,588, Minute Maid Park was rocking from the opening bell, and Alvarez delivered for them not only with a huge knockout, but with a pledge to fight in Texas once a year.
