Alvarez stops Kovalev in 11th round to win 175-pound title

Alvarez landed a left-right late in 11th round Saturday night, dropping Sergey Kovalev to canvas and ending ir light heavyweight title fight. Kovalev was left on his knees, his arms draped over middle ring rope as fight was stopped at 2:15 of round. It was a dramatic finish for a fight that h little drama up to kckdown. Kovalev was more than holding his own late in fight and hn’t been hurt when Alvarez landed left followed by a right.

Mexican great, who moved up two weight classes, won his fourth title in as many weights. He celebrated by kissing glove on his right hand as Kovalev’s handlers jumped into ring to see if ir fighter was OK. punch was one Alvarez h been looking for entire fight, stalking Kovalev while taking a lot of jabs and right hands to face. Both fighters fought cautiously for most part, with Kovalev content to use his jab from long distance and Alvarez looking to land hooks to body. crowd at MGM Grand booed on several occasions, unhappy with lack of action.

Alvarez was a 4-1 favourite despite moving up two weight classes to fight for a piece of Kovalev’s 175-pound title. He took fight against Kovalev rar than a third fight with Genniy Golovkin as part of a $365 million deal he signed with streaming service DAZN. Both fighters took naps in ir dressing rooms as y waited some 90 minutes from last undercard bout before entering ring. delay was for DAZN, which wanted to wait until UFC card in New York was finished before fight began. Fans at MGM Grand arena watched UFC main event on big screens in arena while fighters waited.

Kovalev controlled distance early with his jab, sticking it in Alvarez’s face as he plodded ahe with gloves held high looking for an opening on inside. Alvarez threw punches sparingly, winging a few big punches that missed as Alvarez came back with jabs and an occasional right hand. But Alvarez began finding range with his left hook in middle rounds, working Kovalev’s body and trying to wear him down. He kept vancing with gloves held close to his face, putting pressure on his bigger opponent.