Dmitry Bivol delivered the performance of a lifetime to stun Canelo Alvarez and hand the best fighter on the planet a surprise defeat.
Alvarez was attempting to win a second light-heavyweight world title against the unbeaten Russian but cut a frustrated figure throughout the 12 rounds in Las Vegas. Bivol was never in trouble as he dominated large swathes of the fight to run out a convincing winner.
Both men celebrated at the final bell but Bivol was awarded victory with all three judges scoring the fight 115-113 in his favour having inexplicably handed Alvarez the first four rounds. "I'm glad I proved myself today. I am the best in my division and I keep this belt," said Bivol. "I respect Canelo and all his team but if you don't believe in yourself you will achieve nothing."
Alvarez made no excuses for his second career defeat following his loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2013. "I have to accept it, it's boxing. He's a great boxer and sometimes in boxing you lose," he said. "I'm not going to give any excuses. He's a really good fighter, he comes in and goes out. I felt his power, it was a great fight and it was a good win for him."
Bivol made the faster start and set the tone for the fight by landing his jab with an unerring accuracy. Alvarez attempted to respond with his right hand and began to look for a home for his uppercut towards the end of the round.
The champion continued to stick to a simple-but-effective gameplan as he thudded home his metronomic one-two. Alvarez began to find space to land his power shots as he edged the second session. But Bivol restored his authority in the third as he again out-landed his illustrious rival.
Alvarez had been looking to land his uppercut since the opening round and he punctuated the fourth stanza with that very shot in the final seconds. The fight swung again in the fifth as Bivol started slowly but came on strong to pin Alvarez against the ropes. The Mexican responded by beckoning the champion to continue his assault.
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Bivol refused to stray from his disciplined approach and be drawn into a fire-fight. Alvarez was happy to be backed up to the ropes as he looked to counter his Russian rival but his face was marked up as the fight entered the second half with the Mexican trailing.
Alvarez was forced to chase the champion around the ring at the start of the eighth round but Bivol responded by pressing forward and bullying his challenger back to the ropes. Alvarez showed a renewed sense of urgency as the fight entered the final third but began to look fatigued as he struggled to pierce Bivol's defensive guard.
The Russian was the betting favourite heading into the final three rounds and Alvarez continued to fight off the ropes while his body language betrayed his increasing frustration. The pound-for-pound No.1 needed a knockout in the final six minutes but resorted to lifting Bivol up and carrying him across the ring as the flight slipped away.
Bivol then comfortably saw out the final round before the judges rightly handed him the biggest victory of his career, even if the margin was too small for comfort.
