Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders: Live round-by-round updates

We’re a few hours away from the super middleweight unification bout between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders. Follow along for live main event updates.

May 8 has finally arrived, and super middleweight champions Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders are set to collide in their unification contest.

The fight week got off to a rocky start after Saunders’ father, Tom, said the fight was off unless the size of the ring was at least 22 feet or larger. Fortunately, that issue was settled the same day, and the fight is on. According to Boxingscene.com, the ring is 22 by 22 feet.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is the stage for this gigantic boxing event. Alvarez (55-1-2, 37 KOs) steps into the ring as the WBA and WBC super middleweight champion. The 30-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico, is the hottest name in boxing and only has one loss on his record. That came against Floyd Mayweather Jr. back in 2013.

That was then, and Alvarez is widely considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world today. Still, Saunders is a legitimate challenger to Alvarez’s throne and is a champion in his own right.

Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs) comes from the United Kingdom and is the undefeated WBO champion. He lacks the name recognition of Alvarez, but so does everybody. Saunders thoroughly outboxed Martin Murray in his last fight in December.

The only place to watch Alvarez vs. Saunders is on DAZN. Main event coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET. You can purchase a one-month subscription for $19.99 or a discounted year’s subscription for $99.99.

You can view many of the prelim bouts for free on DAZN’s YouTube page starting at 5:35 p.m ET. Visit the FanSided Alvarez vs. Saunders viewing guide for more bout information and the full lineup.

If you don’t feel like shelling out the money to watch the fight, stay right here and follow along with FanSided for live round-by-round coverage.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders live round-by-round updates

Round 1

Alvarez and Saunders postured at center ring for the first minute of the fight. Alvarez started to walk Saunders down but threw punches sparingly. Alvarez connected with an uppercut but Saunders jabbed well. Alvarez briefly got Saunders against the ropes but couldn’t keep him there.
It was a good start for Alvarez and he appeared to win the round.

Round 2

Alvarez and Saunders traded at center ring and Alvarez got the better of it. Saunders got on his bicycle and circled away from Alvarez but still got hit. Saunders missed a lot of punches and looked a bit psyched out.

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Round 3

Saunders tried to score on Alvarez but couldn’t put his punches together. Alvarez targeted Saunders’ body with his left hook. Saunders was hesitant to throw anything other than a jab.
Alvarez smacked Saunders with a heavy right hook to the head and body that bothered Saunders. It was another round in the books for Alvarez.

Round 4

Saunders landed a left cross to start round 4 but got backed up by more Alvarez right hands. Saunders tried to counter punch but never looked keen to score. Alvarez pushed the action and smashed Saunders with a right uppercut.

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Round 5

Saunders flashed his footwork but took two Alvarez rights to the gut. Saunders was more active and connected with two left hands to Alvarez’s head. Alvarez chased Saunders and worked the body some more, but it was Saunders’ best round thus far, but he didn’t necessarily win it.

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Round 6

Saunders kept his hands low and looked more comfortable. However, Alvarez hit him to the body along the ropes. Saunders danced around the ring but got caught with an Alvarez right uppercut. Alvarez found a home for that uppercut, and Saunders was taking them more regularly.

Round 7

Saunders flashed a fast right jab to start round 7. Alvarez focused on the body. Saunders showed better head movement, and that made Alvarez miss some punches. He made Alvarez look frustrated at times. It was a solid defensive round for Saunders, and it might have gotten in Alvarez’s head a bit.

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Round 8

Saunders threw combinations early in round 8. Alvarez hurt Saunders with a right hand about midway through the round as Saunders’ right eye began to swell. The crowd roared as Alvarez took over. It was a very one-sided round for Alvarez, who punished Saunders. Saunders’ eye looked very damaged.

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Saunders stayed on his stool after the end of round 8. An Alvarez right hand badly hurt Saunders’ right eye, which instantly began to close. It has the feel of a broken orbital bone, but Saunders’ corner didn’t like what they saw. Alvarez closed this fight on a dime and proved why he’s the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Hopefully, a full super middleweight unification bout with Caleb Plant is on tap for September.

Official fight result: Canelo Alvarez defeated Billy Joe Saunders via TKO (corner stoppage), end of round 8

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