Canelo will be exposed by Austin Trout

By Boxing News - 03/11/2013 - Comments

canelo342By Tom Drury: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez undefeated, current WBC light-middleweight champion, protege of Mexican/American legend Oscar De La Hoya (also promoted by De La Hoya & GoldenBoy). Alvarez professional record is currently 41 wins (30 KO) 0 losses 1 draw. Alvarez fought to a draw back in 2006 with fellow Mexican Jorge Juarez.

“Canelo” entered the pro-ranks back in 2005, since then constructed a resumee of 41 fights, activity has never been an issue, Alvarez fought 7 times in 2007, 8 times in 2008, 7 times in 2009, 5 times in 2010, 4 times in 2011 and twice in 2012.

The problem is the level of opposition he has faced, during his 8 year pro-career Alvarez has only 5 recognized names on his resume, now I am not by any means a casual fan, I follow boxing from the amateurs up, what I mean by recognized is fighters that have achieved something in there careers, even these five fighters I’m about to mention (at the time of fighting Alvarez were nothing more than tomato cans and punchbags). Here we go, Carlos Baldomir, Alfonso Gomez, Kermit Cintron, Shane Mosley and Josesito Lopez. Sorry, I do give credit for the Jos Lopez fight, Lopez is no world beater but it would be wrong of me to call him a tomato can, he is a good, solid fighter.

So 8 years, five recognised tomato cans and yet Alvarez is calling out Mayweather (what has boxing become?), Alvarez is a perfect example of a fighter being hyped up by promoters to be something he never will be. No doubt Alvarez has a huge Mexican following, mostly down to his red hair and good looks not his fighting prowess. A huge following does not warrant a fight with Mayweather or any other big draw in boxing for that matter. I have watched Alvarez career from 2007, i might add i got very bored after the Baldomir fight in 2010, the reason- it was clear his fight career was turning into that of a seriously over-hyped fighter.

Alvarez is a very limited fighter also, his footwork is non-existent (plodding & flat footed) his punch arsenal is very weak, Alvarez uses straight lefts and rights, occasional uppercuts and hooks, very poor combination puncher, no finishing instinct, gets hit often, lack of power for a light-middleweight. Shane Mosley was interviewed a few weeks ago regarding his thoughts on a Mayweather-Canelo match-up, one comment stood out for me “Canelo and Mayweather possess the same sort of power” that should not be the case for a light-middleweight.

Alvarez’s career is now stepping up in class (a huge step up) after the announcement he will be fighting the talented southpaw Austin Trout at the Alamodone, Texas on 20/04/2013. Alvarez will be defending his WBC light-middleweight title and Trouts WBA light -middleweight title will also be up for grabs. Unfortunately for “Canelo” in my opinion this step up in class is way too soon and he is going to get a hard lesson in what it takes to compete at world level against top talent, people now might be thinking why have I got such a high opinion of Trout? Trout has a great Amateur pedigree consisting of over 200 fights his amateur record 163-42-0, in 2004 he was the U.S national amateur champion, he entered the pro ranks in 2005 and has constructed an undefeated resumee of 26-0 beating some good fighters on the way and beating a world class, multiple world champion in his most recent fight against Miguel Cotto (with relative ease).

As fight fans know amateur and pro boxing is totally different (it is so different it is like too different sports, scoring systems, intensity, styles) what I will say is a good amateur pedigree does give advantage in many ways when entering the pro game, if we take a look back in history at all the greats and current fighters destined for the hall of fame they all have good amateur pedigree’s Roy Jones, Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Floyd Mayweather, Roberto Duran, Edwin Valero R.I.P, Ray Robinson etc (there is exception to some fighters). Alvarez has only 20 fights at amateur level before turning pro and unfortunately for him does not possess the great skills or natural born talent other fighters do.

After watching the Trout- Cotto fight, Trout looked very much at home in the ring, wasn’t phased by Cotto and his status in the boxing world and in simple terms did a job on him. Trout has accomplished footwork, good combination puncher and altogether calm, he makes up for his lack of power with the obvious fight skills he possesses. Trout has already put a whooping on Alvarez’s brother in Mexico and i feel it will be the same outcome come April. GoldenBoy have made a big mistake in putting Alvarez in with Trout, they should have been looking for fights with the likes of Carlos Molina, Vanes Martirosyan, Cornelius Bundrage and Alfredo Angulo, to gain experience and credit as a fighter that is willing to put in the hard work and deserve those big paydays he is chasing.



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