Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez ruled out for rest of year due to broken thumb

Junior Middleweight boxing champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez has been ruled out of competing in fights for the rest of the year after it was revealed that he is suffering from a broken right thumb. Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Alvarez, announced the news after his condition was discovered by an X-ray scan.

The Mexican reportedly hurt his hand during the second round when he faced England's Liam Smith on 17 September in Arlington, Texas. Despite the injury, Alvarez beat the Brit with a powerful ninth-round knockout to win the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) light-middleweight championship.

Speaking after the fight, Saul admitted that he hurt his right thumb early on but that did not deter him from completely dominating his opponent.

"I was actually only using my left hand for the most part, making sure left hand was connecting with power. I hurt my right hand in the second round when I hit him on the head".

The 26-year-old used his skills during the bout, knocking Smith down three times before finally finishing his opponent in the ninth round. Alvarez's injury now means he will not be able to use his right hand for the next six weeks.

Golden Boy Promotions headed by former boxer Oscar De La Hoya has confirmed that Alvarez will move to the middleweight division next year, amid rumours that he will face unbeaten middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

The clash between the two high-profile boxers has been beset by controversy with both camps coming out and accusing each other of ducking opportunities and lucrative offers to fight. Oscar De La Hoya confirmed that his promotion company has put forward a significant eight-figure offer to Golovkin's camp but were yet to hear back from them.

However, fans are still hoping for the duo to agree on terms and face-off in September 2017 at possibly the same 80,000-capacity venue in Arlington, Texas.