In the best record of his professional career to date, WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol kept his title with a decisive victory over Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas.
All three judges gave Bivol a score of 115-113.
Bivol succeeded with his header in the opening period, and although Canelo found home for his body attacks in the second half, the defending champion reacted well to any Mexican punch. .
After the third and fourth innings closed, Canelo managed to make a push against Bivol in the fifth round with heavy strikes. However, Bivol still defended tightly and caught up with the Mexican star with many reverse punches.
The sixth round saw both men unleash tough punches, though Bivol remained in control – overtaking the smaller Canelo through rounds seven and eight.
Canelo stepped off the flying block on round nine, despite finding no home for many of his power punches. Bivol continued to send out letters and eventually overtook his Mexican counterpart until the final bell rang.
Plans for a September three-part match between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin are now on the ice, with the undisputed super-middleweight champion confirming he will trigger his rematch clause to get revenge on Dmitry Bivol next.
