By Gerardo Granados: Last Saturday at the AT&T, Arlington, Texas, as expected Saul “Canelo” Alvarez defeated an inexperienced and over-matched but brave Liam Smith to win the light middleweight WBO belt. So in an era in which a group of so called big names care only to take the fight fans money but not for giving their money worth a new king have arrived.
Years ago we saw a World Champion engage in ten round bouts against not so dangerous opposition. It was a common practice among many of the most famous fighters. Now a day instead of have a titlist or a mere belt holder fighting on a stay busy fight at ten rounds, we get to see a mismatch sold on pay per view. But that is not the worst thing happening in prize fighting. No, the worst thing is that many fan boys are not only unable to notice it but are even less willing to acknowledge it.
For me it was a pleasure to watch former WBO belt holder Liam Smith fight until he couldn’t get back on his feet and also to previously seeing him get up in two occasions to fight off Canelo, instead of just clinch and run. Maybe Beefy isn’t the most skilled at the light middleweight division but his warrior heart belongs to the elite level. He was there to fight, he did the best he could, took the shots and kept coming forward until a text book hook to the liver put an end to his effort. Liam reminded me of old school fighters and I hope to see him back into the ring soon.
Statistics say that Canelo connected on 157 of 422 punches, as for Smith he landed 115 of 403 punches. But since the first round you could tell the difference between the boxers. Liam´s game plan was not the ideal to defeat Alvarez who feasts on stationary targets. Smith was flatfooted and used no head movement and became too predictable. But still was able to land clean on Canelo.
If Smith had not been a natural 154 pounder, then he probably hadn’t lasted as long as he did. Sure Canelo looked great beating him, but as we knew since the fight was signed for Liam this was his first fight outside the United Kingdom and didn’t have the experience or speed and movement to trouble Alvarez.
Alvarez continuously stayed on the ropes and to me it seemed he did it to take long rests during the rounds. Smith failed to keep the pressure for the full round or to try to outwork and out-punch Canelo. I wonder if Canelo can keep a high pace against a rival with good footwork and hand speed.
If Alvarez is the best boxer, as he stated on the post-fight interview, then he will find no problem proving it against better opposition, instead of hand pick one tailor made opponent after another. Perhaps his loyal fans believe he is the second coming of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr and won’t accept any kind of criticism towards him; but hopefully the rest of fight fans can tell the difference between a legendary boxer and one who has built his career fighting old past prime former champions and picking on smaller foes from the super lightweight or the welterweight divisions.
It is great that Alvarez moved back to 154 instead of staying at the 155 pounds division, maybe now we can see him fight against Demetrius Andrade, Jermall Charlo, Jermell Charlo, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto and even against Kell Brook. But I won’t be surprised if Canelo´s team and his promoter hand pick another suitable opponent next. If the Senator Manny Pacquiao wins against Jessie Vargas next November, I am very confident that he could be next for Alvarez.
It is true; Canelo can sell a large arena. It is also true that he has a solid fan base. Just as true as that he gets a huge support from most major sports media, that won’t dare to speak anything negative or criticize any of his performances.
I will have to leave to other writers to be objectively critic about his next rival and to analyze his fight. Because for me it has become disappointing and repetitive to see how in the last couple of years his boxing career has developed. So, unless he decides to stop avoiding real challenges I won’t pay attention to any of his upcoming fights.
I think that both Saul Alvarez and Danny Garcia have been exposed as boxers managed to sell but not to prove his worth as fighters. But how about the reader, was Canelo exposed?