#CaneloRyder…and Some of the best 168 Lbs. Fights

Saturday night at the Akron stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco, the return of the prodigal!

WBC super-middleweight world champion, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, will defend his cherished Green  and Gold Belt against ambitious and audacious British challenger John Ryder.

At long last, Saul returns to his homeland with the firm conviction and firmer intention of giving people an unforgettable night that will become a Mexican legend.

The fight promises to become a war, since the quality of the Mexican and the British are a guarantee of a first-rate fireworks. Accordingly, we want to remember some of the greatest fights in the super middleweight division.

Mar 25th, 2023 David Benavidez W12 Caleb Plant – Las Vegas, Nevada

David “El Monstruo Mexicano” Benavídez retained his WBC interim super middleweight title, defeating brave and savvy former world champion Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant by UD at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Plant started the fight astutely, with lateral movement, fast jabs and effective, accurate counterpunching, often trailing his left lead low, and relying on his fast reactions, spinning off the ropes to avoid being trapped, by his pursuing opponent. Yet, after the half way mark, Benavidez was finding the range and adjusting, to wear down Plant and take control of the fight. Left hooks and cascades of body punches were sinking in, taking effect and Plant´s punch output lessened. But he simply refused to go down and went all the way to the distance.

Nov. 6, 2021 Canelo Alvarez TKO11 Caleb Plant – Las Vegas, Nevada

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez TKO´d Caleb Plant to seize the fourth and final belt and become the undisputed Super middleweight champion in spectacular fashion, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena thrilling more than fifteen thousand delighted fans, many of them Mexicans, who witnessed a tremendous contest, in which he cut down the distance, slowed down the brisk pace of his wily opponent with a constant unrelenting body barrage attack, and then moved to the head, to inflict two knockdowns in a torrid eleventh round, which emphatically closed the show.

May 8, 2021 Canelo Alvarez TKO8 Billy Joe Saunders – Arlington, Texas

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez knocked out Billy Joe Saunders after eight hard rounds, handing him his first professional loss, in successfully and ruthlessly defending his cherished WBC belt, as well as the WBA super-middleweight titles, taking away Saunders` WBO belt, after administering gradual damage to Saunders at the Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Nov. 3, 2007 Joe Calzaghe w12 Mikkel Kessler – Cardiff, Wales

Joe Calzaghe is conisdered as one of the best 168 fighters in boxing history. The Pride from Wales, unified 3 of the titles in the division with this fight. In his successful career where he retired undefeated, he faced fighters like Chris Eubank, Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Jeff Lacy, Sakio Bika, Mikkel Kessler, among others.

Nov. 7, 1988 Sugar Ray Leonard W12 Donny Lalonde – Las Vegas, Nevada

Sugar Ray Leonard was knocked down in the fourth round and hurt several times during the fight. Donny Lalonde was much taller and stronger. He  seemed to be in control and en route to a sensational victory. Lalonde hurt Leonard in the ninth and as he was trying to finish the fight Sugar magnificently rallied  with an explosive attack, flooring Lalonde and then dramatically knocking him out to capture the Light Heavyweight  and first ever Super Middleweight championship.