The buildup: A mismatch made to happen
They say styles make fights, and on paper, this one had all the makings of a mismatch. Canelo Álvarez, the pound-for-pound king and one of the most feared fighters in the world, was taking on Rocky Fielding, a rugged but limited British champion who had never fought outside of the UK.
The fight was made at the behest of Álvarez’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, who were looking to give their star a showcase fight before a potential mega-fight with Gennady Golovkin. Fielding, for his part, saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a name for himself on the world stage.
The fight: Canelo dominates from the opening bell
From the opening bell, it was clear that Álvarez was in a different class to Fielding. The Mexican superstar used his superior speed, footwork, and power to outbox Fielding from range. Fielding tried to close the distance and land his own shots, but Álvarez was too quick and elusive.
As the fight wore on, Álvarez’s dominance became more and more apparent. He began to land hard shots at will, and Fielding’s face began to show the effects of the punishment. By the third round, Fielding’s left eye was swollen shut, and he was struggling to see.
The finish: Álvarez stops Fielding in the third round
In the third round, Álvarez landed a devastating combination that sent Fielding crashing to the canvas. Fielding got up, but he was clearly hurt. Álvarez sensed that the finish was near, and he went in for the kill. He landed a flurry of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight.
The official time of the stoppage was 2 minutes and 38 seconds of the third round. Álvarez had won by technical knockout, and he remained undefeated.
The aftermath: Fielding’s career takes a nosedive
The loss to Álvarez was a devastating blow to Fielding’s career. He never recovered from the beating, and he lost his next two fights. He retired from boxing in 2020 with a record of 28-3.
Álvarez, on the other hand, went on to even greater success. He won his next eight fights, including a rematch with Golovkin, before losing to Dmitry Bivol in 2022. He is still one of the top fighters in the world, and he is expected to continue fighting for many years to come.
The fight between Canelo Álvarez and Rocky Fielding was a classic example of a mismatch. Álvarez was simply too good for Fielding, and the result was never in doubt. The fight was a disappointment for fans who were hoping for a competitive contest, but it was a valuable learning experience for Fielding. He may never have reached the heights of Álvarez, but he can be proud of the fact that he shared the ring with one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Kind regards C. Christensen.
