Alvarez Claims Vacant WBC Jr. Middle Strap Over Hapless Hatton

By George Elsasser
 

  
 

  

  

 

 

 

 

HBO B.A.D. Saturday noche offering saw popular Mexican Saul "Canelo" Alvarez remain unbeaten over a gusty but outgunned veteran Matthew Hatton, in a twelve round lopsided  decision win for the vacant WBC Jr. Middleweight strap.

 

Alvarez quickly took charge from the opening bell with a poised, effective style that offset the Manchester, UK Hatton attempted offense, that was sadly short of  needed clout. Still, as the one-sided Alvarez chalked up round after round, on occasion, he would become careless and catch a roundhouse right hand - but it was clear Hatton lacked the proverbial punchers chance.

 

Alvarez docked a point for rabbit punch in stanza seven was the closest Hatton got to winning a round - problem is, with Alvarez far ahead on points, numero seven would enter the books as 9-9 stanza.

 

Official scoring was all Alvarez at 119-108 on all cards, my unofficial had it Alvarez 119-107.

 

Rest of story: "Canelo" Alvarez ( 36-0- 1, 26 KOs) ~ age 20 - grabbing the vacant WBC 154 pound bauble is great boost for the ego - but also converts a relative rookie from prospect to champion. Entertaining style, on this night took batting practice round after round - still, Hatton was alive and well at the final bell. Jury still out if the likable kid is rushed into unification game.

                       Matthew "Magic" Hatton (41-5-2, 16 KOs) ~ age 29 - closest thing to the sobriquet came late in the bout in the form of trickery. Seeing referee Lou Moret charging Alvarez a point for hitting behind the head, he grabs the opportunity to go to his knees for a rest. The old third man in charge quickly told Hatton to pick himself up. Hatton during post fight interview said he'll return to welterweight where he's better suited.

 

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Televised opening bout between veteran Ponce de Leon (41-3, 34 KOs) ~ age 30, in with rookie Adrien Broner (20-0, 16 KOs) ~ age 21, for the WBO international minor league strap was more ESPN2 level than HBO.

 

Ponce baby no longer a force that he was at  bantam and junior feather, tossed more punches than the over careful Broner over most the fight but came up short in the scoring department.

 

With beauty in eyes of the beholder in mind, the California hacks all had it for Broner to the off-beat tune of 96-94, 96-94, 99-91 -- on my unofficial I had it for De Leon who was out of the gate the quicker of the two.

 

GEL 

 

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3-5-2011
 

 

 

 

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