Boxing star lands year's most brutal knockout punch

Mexican boxing star Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez has sent a rival to hospital after landing the year's most brutal knockout punch.

Álvarez ended James Kirkland's night after connecting with a ferocious right hand in the third round of their 70kg (154lb) fight at Minute Maid Park.

In footage of the fight, Álvarez pushes Kirkland up against the ropes, ducks under a swinging left from his rival and unleashes the knockout blow.

"I did not see the punch coming that knocked me out," Kirkland said after the fight.

The teeth-shattering punch was so powerful that the victor was forced to halt his celebrations to check on his rival.

"At the end of the day you don't want him to be injured badly," Álvarez told AP. "I was a little worried about him and as soon as I found out that he was OK I started celebrating again."

Kirkland was taken to hospital for a CT scan following the bout where he was said to be responsive and OK.

The 31-year-old American was no match for Álvarez with the Mexican landing a number of crunching blows before ending the fight in the third minute of the third round.

Álvarez is now expected to face Miguel Cotto who is preparing to take on Australian Daniel Geale on June 6 at the Barclays Centre.