The first half of the super middleweight title unification fight between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was closer and more competitive than many expected. But one big round tilted the scales to such a dramatic extent that Saunders couldn't get off his stool after Round 8 because his right eye was swollen shut.
In the immediate aftermath of that conclusion -- a TKO by Alvarez -- athletes, actors and celebrities covered the spectrum of emotions and reactions to that result and Canelo's performance in the fight. They ranged from thoughts of a future rematch against a game Saunders to appreciation of what Canelo is capable of in the ring. Eventually, Canelo himself weighed in.
Here are their instant reactions.
🇲🇽 Otro día en la oficina.
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) May 9, 2021
🇺🇸 Another day at the office. #CaneloSaunders pic.twitter.com/AUdlFdEvWC
And still... congrats Canelo! #CaneloSaunder
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) May 9, 2021
And thy aye all she wrote. Great shot from Canelo to injure Saunders. I thought BJS was winning that fight. I had him 1 round ahead going into that round. How did you all have it ?
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorBoxer) May 9, 2021
That one I got right. Said on our podcast Saunders was picked by Canelo for reason, no power and in front where you can find him and bang body. Credit to Canelo, he executed. @TheFightWTA #CaneloSaunders
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) May 9, 2021
#Boxing fans, you're watching an all time great in the absolute prime of his career. Enjoy it, because guys like Canelo don't come along so often. Congrats to @Canelo and @CANELOTEAM, the best in the biz right now. #CaneloSaunders @DAZNBoxing
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) May 9, 2021
Yea THAT punch! #CaneloSaunders
— ShowtimeShawn Porter (@ShowtimeShawnP) May 9, 2021
Canelo what!!!! THEY STOPPED THE FIGHT! omg 😱 WOW!!!!! Congrats to King @Canelo !
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) May 9, 2021
@Canelo made it look easyyyy #CaneloSaunders
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) May 9, 2021
Come on guys. @bjsaunders_ doesn't deserve those boos. He was doing well. Just couldn't handle the power of @Canelo. #SafetyFirst @DAZNBoxing @MatchroomBoxing #CaneloSaunders
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) May 9, 2021
Canelo chipping away at Saunders then... would he have taken him in another round?
— Josh Warrington (@J_Warrington) May 9, 2021
I had it 5-2 Canelo and 1 round even at the time of stoppage by the way ...how you score it??#CaneloSaunders
I think that's the best we've seen canelo 🔥🔥 the greatest of this generation
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) May 9, 2021
Nice KO win for Canelo, great event in front of 70K people. GGG still his toughest fights after Floyd, arguably winning the first if not both, there's a reason for no third fight when you can get fights like this. Canelo very dominant #congrats
— Tom Loeffler (@TomLoeffler1) May 9, 2021
Billie jo quit, but it was a great choice he was gonna get hurt the next rounds. CANELO just turned up the gear
— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) May 9, 2021
They need to run that back. Canelo v Saunders 2!
— Devin Asiasi "2X" 🤲🏽 (@ASI2X) May 9, 2021
Canelo is special. No doubt about it.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 9, 2021