After Canelo win, Pacquiao says 'boxing in great hands'


Saul "Canelo" Alvarez drew praises from Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao after the former made history on Saturday, Nov. 7 (Sunday in Manila) by knocking out Caleb Plant in the 11th round of their super middleweight bout title bout.

Canelo Alvarez celebrates his 11th round technical knockout win against Caleb Plant after their championship bout for Alvarez's WBC, WBO and WBA super middleweight titles and Plant's IBF super middleweight title at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

Pacquiao took to social media his commendation after Canelo unified all the four major world boxing belts.

"Congratulations to the pound for pound king, @canelo, on making boxing history as the first undisputed super middleweight champion ever," wrote the 42-year-old Pacquiao on Twitter. "Plant put up a great fight but Canelo is just too good. Boxing is in great hands."

Canelo began his historic journey after defeating Callum Smith in December last year to capture the super WBA, The Ring, and the then-vacant WBC super middleweight title.

After retaining those belts against Avni Yildirim, the 31-year-old Mexican superstar added the WBO strap around his waist last May.

Against Plant, Alvarez finally completed his collection by winning the IBF title and it only took him 11 months to top off the unification.

Alvarez improved his record to 57 wins with only one loss, against Floyd Mayweather Jr., and two draws.