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It was another class performance on Saturday night from Canelo Alvarez, as the Mexican superstar returned to action with a one-sided decision win over Callum Smith in a DAZN main event from San Antonio’s Alamodome.
Canelo won on scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 119-109 to take the WBA super middleweight title from Smith, and pick up the vacant WBC belt, too. That accomplishment makes Canelo a four-division titlist — not three — and cemented him as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport if you already had him there, and adds to his argument if you didn’t.
The pros were generally impressed, too, as they would be by what turned into a clinical beatdown of a very good fighter in Smith (27-1, 19 KO), who suffers his first pro loss (though some felt that should have come 13 months ago). At 54-1-2 (36 KO), Canelo just keeps marching on, and big fights await. Any fight he has will be big, of course, but he’s got his pick of the litter, which we’ll get into more tomorrow.
Here’s what some of the pros had to say in the immediate aftermath:
Canelo is the P4P best
— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) December 20, 2020
Shut out win for Canelo in my book.
— Gabriel Rosado (@KingGabRosado) December 20, 2020
Some performance by Canelo, he’s a special fighter and proves it time and time again. Who can beat him now? Callum very braved with some chin but just out classed tonight, no shame losing to P4P no.1! I scored it 10-2 #CaneloSmith
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) December 20, 2020
Unreal performance from Canelo, his defensive is unreal an that’s why Callum couldn’t get his shots off, big respect to Callum for grinding it out, he got some heart and balls to go with it
— Anthony Fowler (@afowler06) December 20, 2020
Smith is a champion cause the shit he took and never went down and kept fighting for me went unmatched
— Tony Harrison (@Iamboxing) December 20, 2020
What the fuck is Brian Kenny talking bout? Canelo won the WBO championship from Kovalev. 4 division world champ. How you gonna try and discredit Canelo? Why do they let him commentate? #CaneloSmith
— Mykal(Michael) Fox (@ProfessorMyke) December 20, 2020
Well good night Congrats to @Canelo !
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) December 20, 2020
Callum as brave as they come.
— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) December 20, 2020
Gave it his best but Canelo was just too good.
Brilliant performance from Canelo, been at the top so long but just gets better. #CaneloSmith
Mad to say but Canelo is getting better
— Enzo Maccarinelli (@theRealEnzoMac) December 20, 2020
Impressive from Canelo, so physically strong it’s incredible! Brave from Callum but outgunned at the Alamo
— Glenn McCrory (@Glenn_McCrory) December 20, 2020
At least try and win and go for it in the last round ♂️ shite that for me. Master class by Canelo.
— Darren Reay (@DarrenReay007) December 20, 2020
P4P performance by @Canelo. Respect to @CallumSmith23. #CaneloSmith
— Luis Angel Feliciano (@Luis_Feliciano) December 20, 2020
♂️
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) December 20, 2020
Cant deny how good Canelo is, an amazing fighter, but I still lack respect for him after the positive drug test.
— Steven Ward (@Stevenward_) December 20, 2020
Love to see what Smith goes on and does at 175lbs #CaneloSmith