Canelo Alvarez’s former rival has his hair pulled but wins with stunning knockout in epic 92-second bare-knuckle battle

Canelo Alvarez’s former rival Alfredo Angulo scored a 92-second knockout in classic bare-knuckle warfare.

Angulo fought and lost to Mexican rival Alvarez in March 2014, being stopped by the pound-for-pound star who has since become a super celebrity.

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After leaving boxing in 2020, Angulo moved to bare-knuckle boxing under the BKFC banner and made his BKFC Knucklemania IV debut against opponent Jeremiah Riggs.

And it was a brutal encounter that lasted just 92 seconds, with both men coming out all guns blazing from the opening bell.

Riggs had the upper hand early on, landing big shots flush to the chin of Angulo, who held up well and landed a job of his own.

But above all, Angulo had his hair pulled several times during the clinches, as the exchanges became vicious.

Bare-knuckle boxers are allowed to use Muay Thai takedown methods, but the move is illegal and is drawing backlash from fans.

After a difficult first minute, the 42-year-old charged forward, landing a striking right hand that left his rival flat-backed on the canvas.

Riggs was unable to get up in time and was clearly stunned by the shot, so he was counted out by the referee who called off the fight.

The debutant celebrated wildly as he climbed the ropes, having made a brilliant start to life at BKFC.

But fans were quick to return to the hair pulling, with one writing: “So apparently holding back your opponents’ hair is legal?”

Another wrote: “Are they seriously allowed to pull guys’ hair and dirty box?

“I just watched that and I was in shock, I’ve never seen that at BKFC before. Great comeback, I crushed that dirty rat.”

One fan even said: “The cheating was crazy!”

But some were simply impressed by the action, with one continuing: “Bare-knuckle fighting is insane!”

Another concluded: “That was crazy, pair of crazy bastards. Satisfying to see that knockout after pulling his hair.”

Angulo hopes he can have a bright future in bare-knuckle fighting, after failing to become world champion in traditional boxing, but it is still early.