By Payman Kohan: As the Floyd Mayweather Jr (44-0, 26 KO’s) vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30KO’s) super fight is being promoted, predictions are being made and excitement is building. Most boxing fans are familiar with Mayweather’s abilities, but many are now looking into Alvarez to see if he can fulfill the hype as the “One” to dethrone the longtime king of pound for pound.
The more I watch Alvarez’s past fights, the more his fight style resembles that of former welterweight champion, Ricky Hatton, along with a few more coincidences that are hard to ignore. Before Mayweather faced Hatton back in December 2007, Hatton came into the fight with a record of 43-0, 31 KO, very similar to that of Alvarez’s. Hatton was accused of having a padded record after fighting many no name opponents from the UK, similar to Alvarez, with exception of Alvarez’s opponents being fought in Mexico. And lastly, it is not a secret that Alvarez will most likely unofficially outweigh Mayweather on fight night. Hatton outweighed Mayweather by 6 lbs unofficially.
But where the fight will be determined is the actual boxing itself. Hatton’s style of walking forward, flat-footed, keeping busy with pressure was methodically countered with Mayweather’s elusiveness, defense and high percentage connects. The plan for Hatton to smother and work to the body of Mayweather was negated by Floyd’s unprecedented ring intelligence.
Hatton had broken 4 ribs of Jose Luis Castillo in the past and Alvarez is known to be a great body puncher. The fight styles of Hatton and Alvarez and the hype that was and is being built for their respective showdown with Mayweather feels very similar.
Although it’s hard to predict the outcome to be the same by way of TKO, it’s not out of the question that Alvarez will get a boxing lesson from one of if not the all time greatest boxer.
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