Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez produced a devastating uppercut to leave a distraught Billy Joe Saunders unable to rise from his stool after eight rounds of their world title unification bout.
Just as Saunders looked to be gaining a footing, the Mexican found a shot which caused an instant swelling over the British fighter's right eye.
Saunders' trainer called the bout off, with his fighter unable to see.
"I think I broke his cheek," said Alvarez. "The truth is I knew it."
Alvarez, 30, added: "I guessed in the corner and told my trainer Eddie Reynoso 'I broke his cheek'."
Within seconds of landing the pin-point blow - made more forceful by the fact Saunders was crouching into the shot - Alvarez raised his hands in front of his rival, ruthlessly letting the 73,126 in attendance know that he had broken the resistance of a man now at his mercy.
Saunders, 31, was taken to hospital with a suspected broken eye socket, an injury which has proven difficult to overcome for the likes of British fighter Kell Brook in recent years.
As an emotional Alvarez was left in the ring thanking what was a record indoor crowd for a boxing event in the US, footage on the big screen inside Arlington's AT&T Stadium showed a heartbroken Saunders visibly in pain on his walk back to his changing room.
Latest Stories
-
NDC Mining Committee for 2024 campaign refutes allegations of recruiting thugs for elections
9 mins -
Traction Control: A lifesaver with an off switch? Here’s why it exists
12 mins -
I don’t need anyman to woo me with money – Miss Malaika 2024 winner refutes pimping claims
19 mins -
”Kurt Okraku sabotaged my national team career because I refused to sign with Dreams FC” – Najeeb Yakubu
20 mins -
Businesses urged to leverage Generative AI for enhanced customer engagement
24 mins -
MultiChoice Ghana partners with Ghana Hotels Association to elevate guest entertainment
32 mins -
Bawumia’s music streaming app or Mahama’s pay-per-view TV channel?
37 mins -
Karpowership Ghana empowers 40 Takoradi Technical University students with scholarship
39 mins -
We expect significant reduction in prices of petroleum products in coming weeks – CEO AOMC
53 mins -
Betway Africa offers once-in-a-lifetime ‘Play-on-the-Pitch’ experience at Emirates Stadium
1 hour -
I coined the term ‘hype man’ in Ghana – Merqury Quaye
1 hour -
Vasseur questions ‘strange momentum’ of Formula One race director change
1 hour -
“I am disappointed in Kojo Manuel” – Merqury Quaye on “no tie” comment
1 hour -
Nana Kwame Bediako; The beacon of unity
2 hours -
Western Region: NDC youth wing embarks on phase 2 of ‘retail campaign’
2 hours