Canelo Alvarez delivered on a promise by KO’ing 32-1 rival days after Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao snoozer

Canelo Alvarez put on a show by brutally knocking out James Kirkland in 2015

The first half of 2015 was largely spent previewing the massive unified welterweight title fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. The matchup took place on May 2 and was dubbed the ‘Fight of the Century’.

The numbers surrounding the fight supported that marketing tag, with Mayweather vs Pacquiao breaking pay-per-view records. The bout attracted a record 4.6 million PPV buys and generated over $410 million in revenue, surpassing the previous record of $150 million set by Mayweather vs Alvarez.

But the one way in which the event did not live up to the hype? The fight itself.

Mayweather cruised to a largely comfortable unanimous decision victory in a main event that left many fans, fighters, and analysts disappointed.

Alvarez himself was in action just a week later at Minute Maid Park, kicking off his new HBO contract against James Kirkland. The American was 32-1 at the time and was known for his brutal punching power, having secured knockouts in 28 of his victories.

Both men promised to deliver memorable action for the fans after the Mayweather vs Pacquiao snoozefest.

“I’ll fight any style,” Alvarez said pre-fight. “I’m ready and willing to fight anybody, but the fans like this style because that’s the fans, what they go to see.

“They want to go see action, and these are the kind of fights that where the people will leave happy,” the Mexican star promised.

“We know what James brings to the table. He’s a very dangerous, very strong and come-forward fighter, and that’s what we’re working for.”

That sentiment was echoed by Kirkland, but it was Alvarez who delivered the shots that would be replayed for months and years to come.

After an aggressive start from Kirkland, he was knocked down in round one by a straight right hand. And having been sent to the canvas again in round three, Kirkland was brutally knocked out by Alvarez, who threw a jab to the body before spinning his opponent’s jaw with a right hand that immediately put him out cold.

Canelo Alvarez can feel that the Terence Crawford fight is ‘different’

Some have suggested the upcoming super fight between Alvarez and Crawford is the closest the Mexican has gotten to blockbuster matches like Mayweather vs Pacquiao.

And when it comes to cementing his legacy in the sport, it seems that boxing’s first and only undisputed super middleweight champion is feeling the weight of it.

“(This fight against Crawford) is different,” Alvarez told Ring Magazine.

“You can feel it right away, and you know how big (this is and) how important (this is) for my legacy.”

Unlike Mayweather in boxing’s most lucrative-ever fight in 2015, though, Alvarez will hope to have his hand raised in a thrilling contest opposite Crawford that delivers on the high expectations many have for it.