Alvarez unifies 154-pound titles, topping Trout

Associated Press

Boxers Saul “Canelo” Alvarez celebrates his win over Austin Trout after their 154-pound title unification bout in San Antonio, Saturday, April 20, 2013. Alvarez won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Saturday, April 20, 2013 | 10:02 p.m.

Alvarez-Trout bout

Launch slideshow »

SAN ANTONIO — Saul Alvarez unified the 154-pound titles, unanimously outpointing Austin Trout on Saturday night at the Alamodome. Alvarez (42-0-1) successfully defended his WBC title and won the WBA and Ring Magazine super welterweight championships, receiving winning scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 118-109. Alvarez's brother, Rigoberto, lost the WBA title to Trout, from Las Cruces, N.M., in February 2011 in the family's hometown of Guadalajara. Alvarez knocked down Trout (26-1) once and staggered him several times to the delight of the crowd of 39,247 that continually chanted "Mexico! Mexico!" "He was better than me," Trout said. "I have no excuses." The fighters stood toe-to-toe for much of the bout, both unwilling to tie up the other at the expense of possible power punches. Referee Laurence Cole only broke up the fighters once, doing so midway through the first round. Trout was the more active fighter, connecting on 154 of 769 punches compared to 124 of 431, but Alvarez landed 43 percent of his power punches compared to 27 percent for Trout. Alvarez dropped Trout early in the seventh round, catching the southpaw flush to the chin with a powerful straight punch. Trout staggered a few steps backward before falling front first to the canvas. Alvarez continued to deliver right hooks and jabs to the head, staggering Trout twice more in the round. Both fighters kept their distance early in the opening round, with Trout delivering the first meaningful blow with a right jab to Alvarez's forehead with 1:52 remaining. Alvarez was able to press the action, stringing together several combinations to win the round. The action picked up significantly in the second round with Alvarez delivering a series of body blows and Trout's corner nearly pulling down the ringside camera man because he was obstructing their view. Alvarez dominated the action, taking the second round, too. Alvarez staggered Trout with a left hook to the body midway through the third round, causing the southpaw to stop and wince. Trout recovered, delivering several body blows. Alvarez stunned Trout with a left hook to the head in the fourth round as the two fighters continued to trade blows.