Canelo Alvarez Dominates David Benavidez with Unanimous Decision Victory to Unify Super Middleweight Titles

Canelo Alvarez reminded the boxing world why he remains the pound-for-pound king on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, outboxing previously unbeaten David Benavidez over 12 masterful rounds to win by unanimous decision and unify all four major super middleweight titles. The Mexican superstars performance was a clinic in ring intelligence and tactical superiority, as he systematically dismantled the younger challenger with precise counterpunching and superior defensive work that left little doubt about the outcome despite Benavidezs valiant effort.

The fight began with both men showing mutual respect for each others power, but Alvarez quickly established his dominance through superior footwork and ring positioning that prevented Benavidez from implementing his typical swarming attack. The 33-year-old champion was particularly effective with his jab throughout the early rounds, using the punch to control distance while setting up his devastating body shots that would become a recurring theme as the fight progressed. Benavidez, known for his relentless pressure and volume punching, found himself frustrated by Alvarezs ability to slip and counter almost every meaningful offensive surge.

The middle rounds belonged entirely to Alvarez, who began to time Benavidezs aggressive rushes with picture-perfect counter hooks and uppercuts that visibly affected the challenger. The Mexican veterans experience was evident in his ability to make subtle adjustments between rounds, constantly changing angles and timing to keep his younger opponent guessing. A particularly impressive sequence in the eighth round saw Alvarez land a beautiful three-punch combination to the body that doubled Benavidez over and drew gasps from the crowd of 18,000 at the Las Vegas venue.

Benavidez showed tremendous heart and determination throughout the contest, particularly in the championship rounds where he attempted to close the gap with increased aggression and work rate. The 26-year-old Phoenix native landed several clean shots that demonstrated his genuine power, but was never able to sustain enough offense to seriously trouble Alvarez or alter the trajectory of the fight. His corner urged him to take bigger risks in the final rounds, but Alvarezs defensive mastery and accurate counterpunching made meaningful success nearly impossible.

When the final bell sounded, there was little doubt about the outcome among ringside observers who had witnessed a masterful performance from one of boxings all-time greats. The scorecards reflected Alvarezs dominance, with judges scoring the bout 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112 all in favor of the champion. The victory moved Alvarez to 61-2-2 in his professional career while handing Benavidez his first defeat in 29 professional fights, though the challenger gained considerable respect for his courage and determination against superior opposition.

The unified championship status positions Alvarez for potential superfights at either super middleweight or light heavyweight, with names like Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev being mentioned as possible opponents for his next outing. For Benavidez, the defeat represents a learning experience against elite opposition that should serve him well as he rebuilds toward another title opportunity. As Alvarez celebrated with his team in the ring, the performance served as a reminder that despite approaching his mid-thirties, he remains the standard-bearer in one of boxings most talent-rich divisions and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.