Canelo Alvarez vs Yildirim LIVE RESULTS: Billy Joe Saunders fight CONFIRMED for May 8 date – latest reaction

CANELO ALVAREZ has stopped Avni Yildirim after just three rounds in Miami, Florida.

The Mexican was in devastating form, with Yildirim's corner pulling him out after a brutal beatdown.

And after the bout, promoter Eddie Hearn CONFIRMED Canelo will fight Brit Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 in a blockbuster super-middleweight unification bout.

Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…

  • James Orr

    CANELO MARCHES ON

    Yildirim was a huge outsider – and there was never going to be a shock.

  • James Orr

    MARK YOUR CALENDARS

    The fight is on!

  • James Orr

    YILDIRIM STOPPED

    The Mexican pound-for-pound king Canelo took just three rounds in destroy Avni Yildirim in Miami.

  • James Orr

    SAUNDERS CONFIRMED

    Eddie Hearn confirmed the date of May 8 for the blockbuster as Brit Billy Joe Saunders is finally next up for Canelo.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    CAN MAN

    Canelo says: "I want everybody.

    "Saunders is the WBO champion and I want to unify.

    "Saunders will try to get under my skin, people talk but I am a mature fighter who controls myself. Words are just bluffs.

    "No one in Latin America has ever been undisputed at super-middle and no one has done that in the world.

    "I want to make my own history, I don't want to be like anyone else. I respect everyone."

  • Wally Downes Jr

    EARN WITH HEARN

    Eddie says: "May 8 is Canelo vs Billy Joe Saunders the 30-0 WBO champion.

    "The venue will be anmnounced shortly as Canelo moves toward trying to be the undsipited champ at 168lbs."

    Cue the video…

  • Wally Downes Jr

    THE KING'S ADDRESS

    Canelo says: "I felt very good, it is great to be active and I wanted to have agreat fight.

    "I needed the knockout and that is what I got.

    "It does not matter if my opponent's are taller or bigger, I have the right trainer to beat them all.

    "At super-middle I feel strong and fast and comfortable, it is one of my best moments.

    "I will fight anyone, the best, I am making history."

  • Wally Downes Jr

    BJS NEXT?

    British WBO super-middle champ Billy Joe Saunders will now get his crack in May.

    The two-weight boss will hopefully put up a far better fight.

    Saunders will dance and move and at least try to hit Canelo back.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    SOFT TOUCH

    Yildirim is laughing all the way to the bank and nowhere else.

    The limp challenger did not seem to fancy the task tonight.

    Canelo did not have to get out second gear to win.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND FOUR – CANELO WINS

    Yildirim's trainer says he has one more round to fight back.

    Yildirim does not seem to respond.

    Yildirim quits!

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND THREE

    Yildirim's knockdown was heavy but he has bounced back well.

    But Canelo is finding it hard to miss.

    Canelo fires off a three-punch combo that Yildirim catches on his guard this time.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND THREE – YILDIRIM DOWN

    A straight one-two batters Yildirim down but not out.

    Yildirim beats the count and bravely fights on.

    Canelo is enjoying this battering now.

     

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND THREE

    Yildirim's team tell him to jab to the body and throw a right hand.

    The challenger says he has not yet been hurt by Canelo.

    Yildirim is staggered by a left hook that doesn't even land flush.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND TWO

    Yildirim's ribs are taking a pasting already.

    The Turk is standing right in the pocket and letting Canelo fire.

    Canelo whips in left hooks and then drives in a straight right.

    Yildirim has already done better than a lot of people predicted but he is 20-18 down.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND TWO

    Canelo's trainer Eddy Reynoso tells the champ land the uppercut before slashing at the ribs.

    An uppercut rattles into Yildirim's face early in the second.

    A left hook to the body and then head thud into Yildirim again.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND ONE

    Yildirim tries a hook to the body but Canelo steps out of range.

    Canelo's head movement is already delicious.

    Even Canelo's jabs look punishing on Yildirim's guard.

    Slow and stready start ends with the bell.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    ROUND ONE

    Yildirim has been out of the ring for two years.

    A left hook from Canelo welcomes him back painfully.

    Yildirim tries very soft jabs and is then tagged to the body.

  • Wally Downes Jr

    WARM UP

    Yildirim's backstage warm-up did not help inspire anyone about his chances…

  • Wally Downes Jr

    CHILL OUT

    Yildirim has had to wait in the ring a long time for Canelo to make his entrance.

    The red hot favourite will be even more fired-up while the Turkish underdog will have thawed.

    How long with Yildirim last?

  • John Hutchinson

    ENTRANCE TIME – YILDIRIM

    The Turkish Robot is first out, looks very relaxed.

    He really has nothing to lose.

  • John Hutchinson

    NATIONAL ANTHEMS TIME

    The Turkish National Anthem is played first, followed by the Mexican version.

    And of course Star Spangled Banner now rings out – well, we are in Miami!

  • John Hutchinson

    SALT 'N' SHAKE

    The legendary Salt Bae is also here to cheer on his mate Canelo.

  • John Hutchinson

    PUNCH CLUNK

    A little reminder of what awaits Yildirim.

    Good luck, my friend.

  • John Hutchinson

    MUSICAL INTERLUDE

    The crowd are being kept entertained by what we can only describe as 'absolute bangers'.

    Will Canelo be delivering some of those himself in a few minutes?

  • John Hutchinson

    TYSON IS IN THE HOUSE

    Boxing legend Mike Tyson wasn't going to miss this was he!

    The 54-year-old, who is back in boxing, is ready to watch one of the current greatest Canelo go into battle.

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