Canelo is King at Staples Center!

Canelo Alvarez squared off against Alfonso Gomez Saturday night at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles during the dual site “STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz” event coinciding with the MGM Grand’s clash between Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and “Vicious” Victor Ortiz in Las Vegas.

In the tale of two cities, “Star Power” allowed some boxers to shine–and to burn bright. For others, did they crash and burn?

What was it like in L.A. before the Vegas fights were streamed in?

At the Staples Center, fans in this venue saw the five bouts–plus the live Vegas feed–in this all-action menu of boxing. There was even a Mexican Independence Day concert with Los Tucanes de Tijuana and El Gran Silencia rockin’ the house after the fights were over.

But it was boxing that the fans came to see. In the City of Angels, the fans lined up early before the doors officially opened. They were carrying Mexican flags in support of their favorite heroes.

While the unprecedented HBO Pay-Per-View dual-satellite mega event unfolded, Los Angelenos were primed for action.

Mikayl Arreola (18-0, 10 KOs) opened the show beating Juan Sandoval (5-7-1, 3 KOs) in a scheduled six-round featherweight battle. Arreola, by way of Guadalajara, got a 57-56, 57-56, 58-55 unanimous decision over San Bernardino’s Sandoval.

San Diego’s Antonio Orozco (12-0, 8 KOs) kept his perfect record by besting Dallas fighter Fernando Rodriguez (6-6, 3 KOs) in their six-rounder. The unbeaten Orozco connected with body shots and good combinations in scoring a shutout victory of 60-54 in this welterweight contest.

Next on the menu was a pro debut of two middleweights in a scheduled four rounds. Ray Rivera (1-0) quickly dispatched of his fellow southpaw Rudy Gonzalez (0-1) with a crushing KO in the opening frame. The end came at 1:26 of the first round for Bakersfield’s Gonzalez.

Oxnard’s Hugo Centeno Jr. (9-0, 6 KOs) took on the shorter Alfredo Rivera (1-9) in battle that quickly caught the crowd’s attention. Right at opening bell, Centeno’s left immediately dropped Rivera as the stunned audience looked on. But the plucky Rivera did his best to stay in the game and the spectators even began rooting for the little underdog. While the 6′ 1″ Centeno outboxed 30-year-old Rivera, the audience cheered for Rivera. After four rounds, scorecards read were 40-35 twice and 39-36 all for Centeno. Rivera adds his ninth defeat to his ledger but at the final bell, Alfredo celebrated with his corner after his entertaining performance.

The Erik Morales (52-7, 36 KOs) vs. Pablo Cesar Cano (23-1-1, 18 KOs) scheduled 12-round collision was broadcast for the spectators with “El Terrible” the sentimental crowd favorite. After the younger Cano found success in early rounds, “El Terrible” really made it a great battle. As the back and forth action soared, the reaction in the stand grew louder and louder. It was all blood and guts from the pair. The bloodied and battered duo continued to trade leather in an all-action bout before Cano’s corner halted the bout after the tenth round. The Mexican legend earned his place in history by winning a world title in four weight divisions as the WBC Super Lightweight belt was strapped on.

Then it was time for the main course of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (38-0-1, 28 KOs) vs. Alfonso Gomez (23-5-2, 12 KOs) for the WBC Super Welterweight title. This Staples Center main event was what the pro-Canelo crowd was waiting for. The redhead’s fans turned out in droves. Canelo had full sections of supporters waving flags and rattling their noisemakers in anticipation of the scheduled 12-round feud.

The fighters were ready; the crowd was ready, anxious and excited. As both prizefighters came out to strains of Mexican tunes, the Canelo chants elevated from the highest balcony seats all the way to the ring. The Cinnamon Kid has really captured the attention of boxing fans. Wearing gold trunks, it’s clear a new “Golden Boy” has found his way into the hearts around the world.

Gomez, the heavy underdog, said he was going to take the fight to Canelo. You can never count out the heart, will and determination of the veteran boxer, also hailing from Guadalajara. But early into the match, “The Contender” fave was knocked down in the opening stanza by a Canelo left. Rising from the knockdown, the tough Gomez proceeded to surprise many with his jab and persistence in trying to make it an inside fight. He was not going to go quietly.

In the sixth stanza, the fans in the stands began chanting and singing songs spurring on their hero Canelo. And in the sixth, Alfonso was caught with a thunderous right by the 21-year-old redhaired dynamo. The heavy hitter went in for the kill as Gomez backed up. As Alvarez unleashed a barrage of uppercuts and hooks referee Wayne Hedgepeth halted the contest at 2:36. In protecting the fighter from taking any more punishment, a few thought it was an early stoppage.

For those watching, some had the fight very competitive in a couple of the rounds. Before the KO was called, while two of the three official judges each gave Gomez a round, all had it for Canelo. Judge Max De Luca gave round three to Gomez, judge Ray Corona had round four for Gomez with the third judge Alejandro Rochin scoring all for Alvarez. At any rate, rising superstar Canelo continues his path toward global superstardom with his youth and power. For Alfonso, the natural welterweight was never pegged to win. But the aggressive challenger did come to fight in this bout for the WBC Welterweight championship.

In the Staples Center (home of the legendary Los Angeles Lakers), Canelo scored a “slam dunk” in the ring with his KO victory as he smiled and acknowledged all of his fans.

And if the Alvarez–Gomez fight was the main course, then it was finally time for “dessert” on this “Star Power” extravaganza promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions.

But as everyone knows by now, the ending was a sour one, tainted in controversy. You can read my column on what transpired during this now-famous bout in the “Chatter Box” section.

As for the victor back at Staples Center, Canelo was the one star who enjoyed the sweet taste of victory, not mired in thick debate and heated arguments.

After six rounds, Alvarez showed the universe his own version of “Star Power.”

Photos by Maria Hedrick.com