Ring Ratings Update: Canelo remains super middleweight, P4P King

Canelo Alvarez left little question as to who the person is within the 168-pound division along with his eighth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten titleholder Billy Joe Saunders earlier than a U.S. file indoor crowd inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday.

Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KOs) defended his Ring Journal, WBA and WBC titles and additional unified the main sanctioning physique belts by including Saunders’ WBO strap to his assortment.

Saunders (30-1, 14 KOs) talked a great recreation coming into the Could 8 showdown, and the brash southpaw had his moments whereas sticking and transferring in Rounds 4, 5 and 6, however Canelo calmly and confidently stalked the skittish Englishman whereas touchdown devastating physique photographs and counterpunches. In Spherical 8, a kind of counters (a proper uppercut) landed to Saunders’ proper eye socket and cheekbone, doing serious damage, which satisfied coach Mark Tibbs to maintain his man on the stool between rounds (the right thing to do given the character of the harm).

The IBF title held by Caleb Plant, The Ring’s No. 2-rated tremendous middleweight, is the one main 168-pound belt not within the Mexican star’s possession. We’ll see if the undefeated Nashville native is subsequent on the 30-year-old celebrity’s formidable schedule, which has seen him combat 3 times up to now six months.

If Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KOs) stays on mission, he’ll be going through Plant for undisputed champion standing in September (round Mexican Independence Day weekend, in fact). Within the meantime, hardcore followers and boxing media can argue whether or not the Guadalajara native is likely one of the best to hail from the boxing-proud nation of Mexico and if he deserves to be considered as No. 1 within the pound-for-pound rankings.

The Ring Rankings is on the identical web page relating to the latter debate. Everybody agreed that Alvarez deserves to be on the helm of The Ring’s legendary rankings.

“Canelo Alvarez had his points at occasions with Saunders however finally landed an ideal punch and scored a formidable win,” mentioned panelist Anson Wainwright. “The perfect resume in boxing and continues to cleared the path.”

Managing Editor Tom Grey thought Saunders boxed nicely vs. Alvarez however doesn’t deny that the Ring champ is pound-for-pound king.

“I assumed the combat was shut numerically (I had it even on my second viewing),” mentioned Grey, “however Canelo at all times seemed like he had Saunders by the throat. P4P efficiency.”

Added Martin Mulcahey:

“It’s a simple choice to maintain Saul Alvarez the place he’s. He figures foes out after a pair rounds like a first-rate JC Chavez. He seems like he a machine in there now, nearly unimaginable to derail with very underrated toes and protection. Saunders can be a legit opponent with a singular type, so bonus factors there for Canelo.”

 

RING RATINGS UPDATE:

Pound for pound – Canelo Alvarez stays No. 1.

Super middleweight – Alvarez retains Ring championship. Saunders stays at No. 4.

“Canelo began nicely earlier than Saunders got here again into issues,” famous Wainwright. “A splendidly positioned shot damage and broke Saunders’ orbital bone. From then on, the combat was over. His nook probably saved him from what would have gotten nasty. Saunders was No. 4 entering into and confirmed sufficient to stay there regardless of the stoppage loss. It’s not like (No. 5) Anthony Dirrell was respiration arduous down BJS’s throat entering into.”

Added Mulcahey:

“I’m effective with maintaining Saunders at No. 4 as a result of it’s a fairly weak division from No. 3 down. From No. 4 down it’s a matter of determining who had the most effective losses as a substitute of greatest wins.”

Junior flyweight – Elwin Soto (19-1, 13 KOs) advances to No. 3 after scoring a 10-round technical stoppage of four-time former strawweight titleholder Katsunari Takayama.

“Youth was served as Soto stopped gutsy Japanese warrior Takayama in (10) rounds to retain his WBO title. Soto to No. 3.”

Requested Grey:

“By no means caught the Soto combat, however I heard the stoppage was poor. What’s the ideas? Plenty of the followers had been down on him. Does he deserve to maneuver up?”

Added panelist Adam Abramowitz:

“I agree with transferring Soto as much as No. 3. The stoppage was early, however he was clearly forward.”

Added panelist Daisuke Sugiura:

“Agree with Soto to No. 3. Takayama and his workforce didn’t just like the stoppage, however Soto was clearly a greater fighter, and I didn’t assume it was a poor efficiency total. It appears like we could have Soto vs. (Ring champ) Hiroto Kyoguchi unification in summer season.”

Added panelist Diego Morilla:

“I agree with Soto at No. 3. The final and doubtless most essential rule that fighters are reminded of within the ring is ‘defend your self always,’ and Takayama was doing something however that. He was taking energy punches in bunches of half a dozen every. I wouldn’t let the stoppage get in the way in which of appreciating Soto’s progressive demolition job in opposition to a nonetheless nice fighter like Takayama.”

Added Mulcahey:

“Elwin Soto retains managing to get wins, so his resume needs to be rewarded with a No. 3 spot regardless of my not seeing him as elite. I’m seeing a quantity punching brawler who ought to have misplaced to (Angel) Acosta, however clearly has extra to his recreation than comes by way of on the HD TV, ha ha.”

 

In notable non-rated motion:

Heavyweight prospect Frank Sanchez improved to 18-0 (13 KOs) with a technical choice over veteran Nagy Aguilera.

Wainwright mentioned the Staff Canelo/Eddy Reynoso-trained Cuban is “on the fringes of issues.”

Added Mulcahey:

“Sanchez did himself no favors with that efficiency on the Canelo-Sanchez undercard, showcase blown IMO. Nonetheless, he’s a great prospect, however lacks the joy issue regardless of apparent skillset.”

Junior middleweight fringe contender Magomed Kurbanov (22-0, 13 KOs) scored a controversial 12-round choice over former titleholder Liam Smith in his native Russia.

“The combat might have gone both approach however house court docket benefit typically helps,” mentioned Wainwright. “The win solidifies Kurbanov’s standing within the division and Smith can declare he deserved the choice and get additional fights. Not overly impressed by Kurbanov. I really feel there are a number of up-and-comers who’re higher and have higher credentials however he’s nonetheless a strong fighter who’s in line for an enormous combat.”

Added Mulcahey:

“I assumed Kurbanov did sufficient to beat Smith. Nothing large separated the duo however I appreciated the accuracy of Kurbanov and thought he managed the place combat was going down within the ring, choosing his spots.”