'Never seen that': Boxing world erupts over Canelo and Plant brawl

The boxing world has erupted after the highly-anticipated face-off between Canelo Álvarez and Caleb Plant erupted when the pair came to blows.

After months of arguing and snide jabs at each other, Álvarez came face-to-face with the man holding the only belt he doesn't own.

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And the bad blood appeared real in their first meeting.

As the pair stood across from each other for the cameras, the pair traded verbal barbs.

And Álvarez reacted as he pushed Plant back.

Plant refused to back down as he took a wild swing at Álvarez.

The Mexican champ showed why he holds the WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles as he took a step back and dodged the attack, before throwing a flurry himself.

Security piled into the melee to break up the chaos.

Plant emerged with a cut under his left eye.

Boxing reporter Mike Coppinger said this face-off was like none-other he had covered, considering the cut under Plant's eye.

"Been to literally hundreds of boring press conferences. Never seen an exchange like that, and especially for a fight like this," he wrote.

"That’s a big gash under Plant’s right eye, and it’s bleeding profusely. A cut like that in training usually postpones fights."

While many were concerned whether the fight could be postponed due to the cut, other boxers were impressed with Alvarez's reaction times.

Canelo and Plant hit back after brawl

The following press conference erupted as Plant launched a tirade at Álvarez.

Plant repeatedly said Álvarez and trainer Eddy Reynoso are “cheaters."

Álvarez was suspended for six months for clenbuterol detected in a drug test, although the Mexican champ claimed the banned substance came from tainted meat.

“This sport is too dangerous for people to be popping positive,” Plant said.

“He's a cheater. It's not up for discussion. Did he get suspended? Did he test positive?

"It's not about what I say. It's about what the (athletic) commission said. You have to take that up with them, not me.”

Both Álvarez and Plant took to social media after the brawl.

Álvarez claimed the incident started after Plant talked about his mother.

Álvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) will risk his WBC, WBA and WBO super middleweight titles against Plant (21-0, 12 KOs), the unbeaten IBF champion from Tennessee, when they meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

with AP

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