Canelo Alvarez defeated Billy Joe Saunders in the eighth round of their highly-anticipated super middleweight showdown. After surviving the Alvarez scare for seven rounds, Saunders quit the fight on his stool going into the eighth.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Saunders’ trainer refused to let him continue further. Realizing that the Brit could have sustained a serious injury. Saunders most probably broke his orbital bone during the fight.
Barak Bess reacted to Canelo knocking Billy Joe Saunders.
Barak said, “He quit that’s it. Not all men are created equal and sometimes you fighting with a broken bone over the eye is not smart. He couldn’t see, so why go out there if you can’t see, now you are just playing stupid. He fought like a man and took his loss.”
An orbital bone fracture occurs when there is a crack in one of the bones surrounding the eyeball, which was the case with Saunders. Hence, Saunders was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Saul Canelo Alvarez (L) and Billy Joe Saunders (R) fight during WBC, WBA Super, WBO and Ring Magazine World Super-Middleweight unification at AT&T Stadium on May 8, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Read More: I think I broke his Cheek: Canelo Alvarez Reveals His Excitement After Finishing Billy Joe Saunders
Although Alvarez outscored Saunders on the judge’s scorecard, the latter was able to give the Mexican a run for his money. In the seventh round, Alvarez evaded Saunders’ right hook and landed a clean shot to the Brit’s cheek that had him momentarily wobbled.
Canelo Alvarez will now look forward to sharing the boxing ring with Caleb Plant, the current IBF super-middleweight champion. During his post-fight interview, Alvarez said he’s ready to face him Plant.
The Mexican now has to defeat Caleb to achieve undisputed champion status.
