Canelo vs Floyd: The truth

By Boxing News - 06/01/2013 - Comments

alvarez343By M.V.Medrano: I have read a few articles on this sight about this topic and it amazes me how in both the articles and comments section followers of the sport refuse to cover the basic facts about the September 14th fight between WBA/WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Before you bash the article, read the whole thing.

This is a much more intriguing fight then followers are giving it credit for. On one hand you have Floyd who has won every fight he has taken against many big names in the sport. Many names have been used to describe the fighters that he has faced, old, small, hyped as well as completely dodging others. This point can be argued both ways and has been many times. This simple fact remains that he is undefeated and has many followers in the sport and out. He is also paid very well for the legacy he has built. Cherry picking or not Floyd’s skill set can not be questioned. He is a genius in the sport of boxing as well as self-promotion. He in my opinion has taken purely safe fights against big names while always having a cherry pickers advantage. If you are a true fan of the sport this fact is not hard to see. The only dangerous fight I felt Floyd took recently was against Victor Ortiz and we all saw what a circus that fight was.

On the other hand you have Saul Alvarez, a Mexican fighter with a very different look , that is being followed by many and believed by those to be the next great Mexican fighter. Saul however does not have nowhere near the same “big name” resume that Floyd has or the following. Saul has many times fought smaller fighters in name and size. He too is undefeated but has yet to truly convincingly prove himself. “Canelo’s” skill set does need much improvement and with the right trainer can get better. Golden Boy Promotions has done a great job so far of protecting this fighter. Alvarez had his hands full with Austin Trout but was able to pull out the victory. While I believe Trout is very underrated he is simply no Floyd Mayweather.

Floyd will come to the fight and do what he does best. He will use his superb defense as well as his legs to make it a long night of cat and mouse for Canelo. While Mayweather will play the role of the mouse let us not forget that this mouse is a genius. He will counter punch Canelo all the while keeping a safe distance from him. Floyd counters so well that after just a few counters many fighter are caused to sit and think in the middle of the ring while Floyd with his hands down, decides which lead to throw. Lead right, jab to body or the leap and side stepping left hook. This patented style has worked many times without fail.

Canelo comes to this fight hungry and strong. Many do not regard as a combination puncher however this is simply not the case. If you are not convinced watch the Josesito Lopez fight. Canelo enjoys throwing combinations and does an excellent job of switching them up. Lopez however is also nowhere near a Floyd Mayweather and Austin Trout showed how to nullify the ability for Canelo to throw them. Alvarez needs to be relentless, but yet very smart. He cannot go into the fight simply looking to land head shots on Floyd, which has proven to be a difficult task. The key to start is a well-timed crisp jab. Once this is established then and only then can he think about combinations. He is young, strong and hungry this could cause problems for Floyd that we have not seen before , only time will tell.

In my opinion this fight is much like De la Hoya vs. Vargas. Young and strong versus experience and knowledge. I also believe this fight will end in a majority decision for Floyd. Simply because I think he has the smarts to adjust to the dangers Canelo presents. I commend Floyd for finally taking a fight against a truly dangerous opponent ,as much as I commend Canelo for taking such a dangerous leap with disregard to his record. Let’s not forget that in boxing anything can happen and this is an excellent match up for the sport.



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