Canelo – a judge’s dream?

Phil Stevens (aka One to watch) looks at how Canelo Alvarez’ attributes and fighting style may help him when it comes to close bouts that go the distance.

Canelo Alvarez naysayers and ‘haters’ will suggest weaknesses with his stamina, workrate and point out his weight cutting which has enabled him to always be the bigger man in the ring.

Common complaints will also always surround debatable decisions having going his way.
Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara and GGG were all very subjective fights where Canelo got the rub of the green on the cards.  Now it’s only right to recognise the wide-held view that his fortuitous decisions are down to Golden Boy promotions and HBO’s influence.  Not to mention alleged favouritism to the money man who fills stadia and does box office ratings.

This of course is nothing new in boxing.  Corruption or favouritism, be it purposeful or subconscious, has been pivotal in the sport for a century or more.

However, I have a different view on Canelo that I feel is overlooked too much when post-fight emotions get the better of fans who turn to twitter or forums to vent and leave objectivity at the door.  Quite frankly Canelo is a judge’s dream.

The Mexican has a relatively low punch output for the weight and favours quality over quantity.   Now if you have an understanding of a judge’s assignment on fight night, what would be the number 1 criteria for separating 2 closely matched fighters? Is it not clean punching?

Canelo is a quite brilliant precision puncher.  His skills would sit well in any era.  He throws textbook shots, every one that is in the book and he does it with full leverage, delivering them explosively and accurately.

He isn’t a massive puncher at this level, but timing = power, as strong as an ox and possessing the ability to land clean with a high percentage of his overall punch output.  This cannot be ignored as inconsequential when the likes of Adelaide Byrd’s controversial card are reviewed.  After all why would a corrupt judge score a close fight so wide?

Of all the active boxers at world level Alvarez is one of the best to watch and a demonstration of his skills and his body shape is the perfect place to start for any aspiring amateur.