Mexican light-middleweight Saul Alvarez recorded the 45th win of his career as he knocked out American James Kirkland in the third round in Houston, Texas.
Alvarez, whose only professional defeat came against Floyd Mayweather in 2013, floored Kirkland in the first round and twice more in the third.
The 24-year-old hopes to fight Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, the WBC world middleweight champion, later this year.
“I did not see the punch coming that knocked me out,” said Kirkland, 31.
Kirkland collapsed on his back after taking the knockout punch just moments after getting back to his feet from a previous knockdown.
Alvarez – nicknamed Canelo, or Cinnamon, because of his red hair – celebrated for a moment before realising Kirkland was still on the canvas.
