Monday 17 December 2018 06:18, UK
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez completed a clinical stoppage win over Rocky Fielding in the third round to claim the WBA 'regular' super-middleweight title in New York.
The Mexican star stepped up in weight to challenge Fielding, who was floored in every round before the fight was waved off, as Alvarez claimed a version of a world title in a third division.
Fielding was making the first defence of the belt he won by stoppage against Tyron Zeuge in July and the Liverpudlian was troubled by a sustained body assault from the start at Madison Square Garden.
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In the opening round, Fielding had attempted to take the centre of the ring, but was soon sent to his knees by a crunching shot to the ribs from Alvarez, and had to withstand more heavy punishment before the bell.
With Alvarez digging in more body shots, Fielding bravely stood and traded in the second, only to be sent back down to the canvas by another punch under his elbows.
Fielding tried to answer with his own flurries in the third, but Alvarez packed too much power as a right hook dropped the Liverpudlian heavily and the referee mercifully called a halt after he was floored again by a left hook to the body.
"Fortunately for me, he came to attack, and that was the error he made, but I did my thing in there," said Alvarez.
"That was the plan in the gym, that was the plan to hit the body, then move up and that's the result, you see the result here.
"I felt good, I felt strong, I didn't have to dehydrate myself to make weight."
