Canelo Alvarez knocks out James Kirkland in 3rd round

HOUSTON -- Saul "Canelo" Alvarez knocked out James Kirkland with a sweeping right at 2:19 of the third round in their 154-pound fight Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

Moments after getting off the canvas after being decked with a flurry of punches, Kirkland took the devastating knockout punch and collapsed to the floor on his back.

Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) returned from a 10-month break to beat Kirkland (32-2, 28 KOs), who was back in the ring after a 17-month layoff.

Alvarez is widely expected to challenge Miguel Cotto in a pay-per-view fight that could be a highlight of the fall.