Dmitry Bivol stuns Canelo Alvarez on points to retain WBA light-heavyweight title

Dmitry Bivol produced a near-faultless performance to defeat Canelo Alvarez and retain his WBA light-heavyweight title in the early hours of Sunday morning in Las Vegas.

Bivol used his superior size and precise technique to brilliant effect, dominating the vast majority of the fight with Canelo’s single punches unable to stem the sheer volume of shots coming back in his direction.

All three judges scored the bout 115-113 in the Kyrgyz-born Russian’s favour, with Canelo’s plans to face Gennady Golovkin in September wrecked after just the second defeat of his professional career.

“You need to give respect,” Canelo said in the ring afterwards. “He’s a great champion. In boxing sometimes you win and lose. Tonight I lost. No excuses.”

After being crowned undisputed champion at super-middleweight last year, Canelo was fighting at light-heavyweight for just the second time in his career, having stopped Sergey Kovalev in 2019.

From the opening bell, though, it was clear that Bivol would present a far trickier test, with his height, reach and relentless piston-like jab making it difficult for Canelo to close the distance or land any meaningful punches.

The first four rounds remained close, with Canelo’s single shots the most eye-catching and a vicious uppercut in the fourth round shook Bivol as he leant back against the ropes.

If that offered hope to the partisan crowd packed inside the T-Mobile Arena, it was promptly extinguished as Bivol became increasingly confident to hold his feet in combinations.

A prolific amateur, Bivol’s punches were expertly measured and he showed consummate command of the ring, refusing to be drawn in by Canelo’s goading as the Mexican became increasingly frustrated during the middle rounds.

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