By Ivan Ivanov: In a previous overview of their styles I gave a slight edge to the younger fighter but youth wasn’t the only reason. A comparison of some key points in their game could shift the focus away from weight loss and diet speculations, emotionally biased pros and cons with utter disrespect for one and idolizing praise for the other.
Both boxers deserve respect prior to the fight and I hope both will be worthy of it after September 14.
Empirical evidence will not help a prediction very much. Boxing is not an exact science with calculable variables. The “sweet science” has very little to do with a single science at all. Game plans very often last only a couple of rounds and strategies turn out to be wishful thinking. Boxing and chess have nothing in common although some people think they are doing boxing a favor by comparing it to a one-dimensional board game. Nevertheless there is a system of fundamental elements in boxing and it will be the basis for my technical comparison of the rivals.
Stance: Floyd has a wide stance with feet far apart that gives him increased range and balance. It is good for defensive and offensive speed but does not provide a lot of leverage for power shots. His stance favors mobility but he has to “reset” in order to throw body shots. “El Canelo” has a conventional stance compared to Floyd. Both have an orthodox stance but Floyd’s is more unconventional, it has an Olympic style essence.
Footwork: Floyd is moving fast and prefers mobility to leverage. He has a very keen sense of position and angle in relation to the opponents “danger zone” and his footwork is a key element of his famed defense. Alvarez sets his feet not only when he throws power shots but in defense as well. He needs to be steady on his feet for the body and head movement that allows him to stand his ground and counter. He plants his feet often and this creates the ostensible impression he is flat-footed. Floyd knows better and he knows Alvarez will find him in the ring. I dare repeat he might even find him out.
Body and head movement: If you move the body, the head will follow. If you move from your feet, body and head will follow. Floyd rarely does these things separately except while performing the shoulder roll. It is an old school drill that originated when the style, pace and mainly the size of gloves were very different. The dynamics of offense with were different due to the danger of hand injury and the shoulder roll was a class act.
It is not a reliable defense today against a fresh determined opponent. Floyd makes it look good against an over-matched or fatigued opponent but it is more showboating than a building block of his defense. Alvarez’s body and head movement very often take place while he is “flat-footed”. He needs the leverage because he aims not only to evade the shots but to counter in the same motion.
Guard: Floyd’s guard is an important part of his defense while “El Canelo” does not take his guard that seriously, it’s more of an invitation and an excuse to keep the hands in position for punching. Both of them know very well when a tight guard is a must and when you can keep them low and taunt the other guy or take a break.
There is a principal difference in the way the throw a shot but this requires more space to be described well and perhaps needs to be in another article along with the rest of the basics.
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