Alvarez KOs Khan to keep middleweight title

The 25-year-old Alvarez floored Khan with a devastating right hook to emerge victorious from the middleweight clash on Saturday.

Alvarez, a former WBA and WBC super welterweight champion, entered the fight as heavy favorite, with Khan having gone up two weight divisions for the showdown.

While the quick-handed Khan had seemed to control the first couple of rounds, the Mexican slugger caught up in the third round. He proceeded to cut off the ring and push his 29-year-old opponent against the ropes.

In the closing moments, the red-headed Alvarez feigned a last jab before delivering the stinging hook from the right that downed Khan, who regained consciousness moments later.

"I was getting in the ring with a big guy," Khan said. "Unfortunately I didn't make it to the end."

The fight took place on the Las Vegas Strip's T-Mobile arena before a crowd of 16,450 fans.

rc/blc (Reuters, AFP)