Guadalajara boxer Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has produced one of his finest performances, with a third round knockout of U.S. boxer James Kirkland in Houston last Saturday. 

Alvarez was forced back in round one, as powerful Kirkland launched a dramatic attack from the opening bell. Alvarez responded by timing his counter punches and knocking down the aggressive challenger. Kirkland recovered for the second round, throwing wild punches that pushed Alvarez into the ropes, but Alvarez again managed to floor the veteran fighter in the third. Kirkland made it back to his feet, but Alvarez threw a powerful right hook that sent him reeling to the canvas and the referee stopped the bout. Such was the force of the blow that the concerned Mexican stopped his celebration after seeing Kirkland was still down and waited for him to respond to the ringside doctor. 

With the dramatic win,  Alvarez has put himself into contention for a potential super-fight with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. The bout would earn both fighters sizable fortunes and rekindle the old Mexico-Puerto Rico boxing rivalry.