Last year, Josesito Lopez started out as a junior welterweight, but stepped up in weight to score the biggest victory of his life against Victor Ortiz, claiming the WBC Silver Welterweight title. He thought he could repeat the feat by moving to the super welterweight division, only to be proven wrong when he ran into an unbreakable red-haired wall named Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Alvarez scored a fifth round TKO against Lopez Saturday (Sunday, PHL time), to retain the WBC Light Middleweight title for the fifth time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The original plan was for Alvarez to battle Ortiz in Golden Boy Promotions’ big Mexican holiday fight card. However, Lopez threw a wrench into that plan as he scored an upset over Ortiz back in June. This victory gave him a shot at the WBC light middleweight title held by Alvarez, but this time though, Alvarez made sure that there wasn’t a second upset.

The red-haired boxer first dropped Lopez with a left hook to the side of his body. The same thing then happened in the third round from the exact same punch. In the fourth round, Alvarez unleashed a nasty seven-punch combination to Lopez’ head and body punctuated by a big overhand right to send Lopez down for the third time in the fight.

Referee Joe Cortez was carefully watching the action from the start of the fifth round and was ready to step in and stop the fight as soon as Lopez walked into more trouble. With a few seconds left in the fifth round, Alvarez connected with another flurry of punches that prompted the referee to save Lopez from more punishment.

Lopez showed tremendous heart as he was trying to fight back up until the stoppage, but his punches barely had any effect on Alvarez. Lopez connected with rights that could have hurt other boxers but Alvarez walked right though those punches.

The difference between the physiques of the two fighters was noticeable from the very start. Lopez was the taller fighter standing half an inch taller than Alvarez, but he appeared thinner. He also looked liked he was soft around the waist, which made him more susceptible to Canelo’s punishing body blows. 

Leaping two weight classes in a year was horrible decision for Lopez, but he still made a good account of himself as he fought on gamely even though he was terribly overmatched. Lopez now needs to decide if he can still go back to the light welterweight division or if he should try his luck as a welterweight.

With the astounding victory, Alvarez improved his pristine record to 41-0-1, with 30 knockouts. Lopez on the other hand dropped to 30-5-0, with 18 KOs. Alvarez can now think of unifying his WBC title with the other champions in the weight class, which of course includes reigning WBA light middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. - AMD, GMA News