<
>

How the world reacted to Canelo Alvarez's TKO of Billy Joe Saunders

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.