The 'Tribute To The Kings' boxing show on Saturday saw Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Jr. return to the ring against Hector Camacho Jr. and UFC legend Anderson Silva, respectively. And amidst all of the entertainment such a card full of spectacles delivered, one of boxing's present-day best also made plenty of headlines.
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, the WBA, WBC and WBO super-middleweight champion expected to face IBF titleholder Caleb Plant in a full unification later this year, was on hand at Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara for the event.
After a lively start to what was intended to be just a non-competitive, four two-minute round exhibition, Chavez Sr. and Camacho really got into it at times and even removed their headgear at one point as tempers flared, only to be told to revert to following the contest's rules by the official.
For the fourth and final round, Chavez called Canelo over from the crowd to come and work his corner, which only amplified the entertainment value for the live crowd.
In what was advertised as his true last hurrah, the 58-year-old got the better of the final exchanges to a huge reaction, before paying tribute to Alvarez's fantastic recent run of in-ring performances, which includes the recent unification success over Billy Joe Saunders.
“Thanks to Canelo. Here you have the best Mexican fighter today, possibly the best in history," said Senior after the main event.
The 168lbs king humbly responded to Chavez: "You’ll always be the best.”
Alvarez later added: “Chavez will always be the greatest Mexican fighter ever. It was an honor to do this."
Canelo was also seen congratulating Silva on his win over former world middleweight titleholder Chavez Jr on what was an eventful night of eye-opening match-ups.