Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez after unifying all four major boxing titles on Nov. 6. Photo: Google

By KELIN DILLON

On Saturday, Nov. 6, Guadalajara-born boxer Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez became the first Mexican fighter to ever unite all four belts in the super-middleweight division after knocking out American fighter Caleb Plant in the 11th round of the duo’s Las Vegas duel.

Álvarez now boasts the belts and titles for the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organization and just-added International Boxing Federation, making Álvarez the undisputed boxing champion around the world in the super-middleweight division.

“To become the first Mexican unified champion means a lot to me,” said Álvarez. “That makes me happy, it motivates me.”

A title unification such as Álvarez’s is a rare sight, as he joins super-lightweight Josh Taylor as one of the only two current fighters across boxing’s 17 weight classes to don the belts from all four major sanctioning bodies at once.

The occasion likewise marks Plant’s first major loss as a professional boxer, and, after offering apologies to Álvarez for his unprofessional words leading up to the fight, the U.S. fighter left the ring before he could be interviewed on the match’s outcome.