Alvarez: "Caleb is a good fighter"

Saul Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) and Caleb Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) buried the hatchet after last night's fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Before the bout, the organizers even stopped short of requiring both boxers to make face off and pose for photographers, just in case both wanted to pick a fight again. But after the fight itself, the tone of their statements changed dramatically.

The Mexican defeated the IBF world champion in the 11th round, taking his title. Thus, Alvarez unified all the belts in the super middleweight division. What he thought of Plant and what the American himself said to him after the fight, Canelo Alvarez said in his post-fight interview. Plant himself did not speak publicly about the fight, as he was taken to the hospital for evaluation after the loss.

"Caleb is a good fighter. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a tough opponent and very skilled. I respect him. Anyway, he's a real man. We had a good fight, he wanted to fight even when he was hurt. I told him later that it wasn't humiliating to lose that way. Plant apologized to me as well. He said he didn't mean to hurt my mother in any way, that he didn't really mean it and that he was sorry it happened. I told him it was okay. I wish him all the best," Alvarez said in the ring after the fight.

"Becoming the outright champion is extremely important for the history of Mexico. There have only been six such boxers over the years. I am very happy and motivated to be among those six boxers," the Mexican added.