Canelo Álvarez's journey through the super middleweight division has been nothing short of legendary. In this article, we'll delve deep into his super middleweight fights, exploring the opponents he faced, the challenges he overcame, and the championships he secured. Get ready to relive the excitement and appreciate the skill that made Canelo a dominant force at 168 pounds. Let's dive in!

Canelo vs. Rocky Fielding: A Super Middleweight Statement

When discussing Canelo super middleweight fights, it's impossible not to start with his bout against Rocky Fielding. This fight marked Canelo's debut in the super middleweight division, and he aimed to make a statement. Fielding, the reigning WBA (Regular) super middleweight champion, presented a size and reach advantage, but Canelo's skill and power quickly neutralized those factors. From the opening bell, Canelo pressed forward, landing powerful body shots and hooks that gradually wore Fielding down. The fight showcased Canelo's adaptability, as he effectively closed the distance and nullified Fielding's height advantage with relentless pressure and precise punching. Each round saw Canelo increasing his dominance, with Fielding struggling to cope with the Mexican superstar's relentless attacks. The body shots, in particular, were a significant factor, visibly sapping Fielding's strength and will. By the third round, Fielding was visibly weakened, and Canelo continued to land with increasing frequency and power. A series of knockdowns followed, each highlighting Canelo's superior strength and technique. Ultimately, the fight was stopped in the third round, with Canelo being declared the winner by TKO. This victory not only secured Canelo the WBA (Regular) super middleweight title but also signaled his serious intentions in the division. It was a powerful demonstration of his ability to adapt and conquer, regardless of size disparities. For fans and analysts, this fight served as a clear indication of Canelo's potential to dominate the super middleweight scene.

Canelo vs. Callum Smith: Unifying the Titles

Continuing our journey through Canelo super middleweight fights, the clash against Callum Smith stands out as a pivotal moment. Smith, the WBA (Super), and Ring magazine super middleweight champion, was considered one of the best in the division. His height, reach, and formidable punching power posed a significant threat to Canelo. However, Canelo's strategic brilliance and impeccable execution proved to be the deciding factors. Throughout the fight, Canelo expertly closed the distance, negating Smith's reach advantage and landing powerful combinations. His jab was particularly effective, disrupting Smith's rhythm and creating openings for his signature power punches. Canelo's defense was also on full display, as he slipped and blocked many of Smith's attempts to land his own big shots. As the rounds progressed, Canelo's dominance became increasingly apparent. His relentless pressure and accurate punching took their toll on Smith, who struggled to maintain his composure and effectiveness. Canelo's ability to control the center of the ring and dictate the pace of the fight was a testament to his strategic acumen. By the later rounds, Smith's face was marked and bruised, a clear indication of the punishment he had absorbed. The fight went the distance, but there was little doubt about the outcome. Canelo was awarded a unanimous decision victory, adding the WBA (Super) and Ring magazine titles to his collection. This win not only solidified Canelo's status as the top super middleweight in the world but also demonstrated his ability to overcome significant physical disadvantages through superior skill and strategy. The victory over Smith was a masterclass in boxing, showcasing Canelo's evolution into a complete and dominant fighter.

Canelo vs. Avni Yildirim: A Mandatory Detour

Among Canelo super middleweight fights, the bout against Avni Yildirim is often viewed as a mandatory defense rather than a competitive challenge. Yildirim, the WBC mandatory challenger, was seen as a significant underdog, and the fight was largely perceived as a formality on Canelo's path to unifying the super middleweight titles. From the opening bell, Canelo asserted his dominance, landing powerful shots and controlling the pace of the fight. Yildirim struggled to mount any significant offense, and Canelo's superior skill and power were evident. The fight was largely one-sided, with Canelo landing at will and Yildirim offering little in return. Canelo's jab was effective in keeping Yildirim at bay, and his power punches quickly took their toll. By the third round, Yildirim's corner had seen enough and decided to stop the fight, awarding Canelo a TKO victory. While the fight itself was not particularly memorable, it served its purpose as a mandatory defense, allowing Canelo to retain his WBC title and move closer to his goal of unifying the division. For Canelo, it was a relatively easy night at the office, allowing him to stay active and maintain his momentum. However, for fans, the fight was largely forgettable, overshadowed by the more significant and competitive bouts in Canelo's super middleweight campaign.

Canelo vs. Billy Joe Saunders: Capturing Another Belt

When examining Canelo super middleweight fights, the showdown with Billy Joe Saunders is a standout clash of styles and personalities. Saunders, the WBO super middleweight champion, brought a unique blend of slick boxing skills, unorthodox movement, and psychological gamesmanship to the ring. This fight was highly anticipated, as it pitted Canelo's power and aggression against Saunders' elusiveness and ring IQ. The early rounds saw Saunders employing his signature movement and feints, trying to frustrate Canelo and keep him at bay. Saunders' southpaw stance and awkward style presented a challenge for Canelo, who had to adjust his approach to effectively close the distance. However, as the fight progressed, Canelo began to find his rhythm, timing Saunders' movements and landing increasingly accurate shots. Canelo's pressure was relentless, and he gradually wore Saunders down, limiting his mobility and forcing him to engage more frequently. By the middle rounds, Canelo had begun to assert his dominance, landing powerful combinations and controlling the center of the ring. The pivotal moment came in the eighth round when Canelo landed a devastating uppercut that fractured Saunders' orbital bone. Saunders' corner recognized the severity of the injury and stopped the fight before the start of the ninth round, awarding Canelo a TKO victory. This win secured Canelo the WBO super middleweight title, bringing him one step closer to his goal of unifying all four belts in the division. The fight was a compelling demonstration of Canelo's ability to adapt and overcome different styles, solidifying his reputation as one of the most versatile and skilled fighters in the world.

Canelo vs. Caleb Plant: Undisputed Champion

The culmination of Canelo super middleweight fights arrived with his battle against Caleb Plant for the undisputed super middleweight championship. Plant, the IBF super middleweight champion, was a skilled and confident fighter with a proven track record. This fight represented Canelo's final hurdle in his quest to unify all four major titles in the 168-pound division. The fight began with Plant utilizing his jab and movement to keep Canelo at bay, employing a similar strategy to that of Billy Joe Saunders. Plant's speed and agility posed a challenge for Canelo in the early rounds, as he struggled to pin Plant down and land his power punches. However, as the fight wore on, Canelo began to close the distance more effectively, timing Plant's movements and cutting off the ring. Canelo's pressure was relentless, and he gradually wore Plant down, limiting his mobility and forcing him to engage more frequently. By the later rounds, Canelo had begun to assert his dominance, landing increasingly powerful shots and controlling the center of the ring. The decisive moment came in the eleventh round when Canelo landed a series of devastating punches that dropped Plant twice, leading to a TKO victory. With this win, Canelo became the undisputed super middleweight champion, cementing his place in boxing history. He joined an elite group of fighters who have unified all four major titles in a single division, a testament to his skill, dedication, and relentless pursuit of greatness. The victory over Plant was the crowning achievement of Canelo's super middleweight campaign, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time. This completed collection of Canelo's super middleweight fights truly showcases his dominance and versatility in the ring, and his journey to becoming an undisputed champion is a story for the ages.

Canelo Álvarez's reign at super middleweight is a testament to his skill, dedication, and strategic brilliance. Each fight presented unique challenges, but Canelo consistently found ways to overcome his opponents and emerge victorious. His journey to becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion will forever be remembered in boxing history.