Canelo v GGG – The Tactics

Phil Stevens (aka One to watch) looks at how the tactics of Canelo and Golovkin effected their first fight and what kind of gameplans they may look to use during the rematch.

So what were Canelo’s tactics first time around?

Knowing GGG would, as always, be on the front foot, he decided not to attempt to force the pace but rather to box off the back foot looking to counter with single heavy blows which he would then follow up with fluid combinations.

Despite the general consensus being that GGG deserved the first fight, I actually see no reason why Alvarez will change his game-plan.  In fact, ironically, it’s GGG who has the big decisions to make.

Canelo should once again look to counter and ‘steal’ rounds whilst using his excellent upper body movement and feet to keep out of the way of GGG’s bombs.

There is no reason not to believe that the Alvarez we will see in the ring come Saturday night will be the best version yet.  He has been managed beautifully to this stage and at 28 years old and at 160 lbs this really is Alvarez in his prime.  He will concentrate on his strengths and not go out of his comfort zone.

What tactics did GGG employ first time?

Golovkin is a multi-faceted fighter.  We have seen the ‘destructive Golovkin’, the one who crushes those who he has nothing to fear from (Proksa, Macklin, Geale, Rubio, Wade, Brook).

And we have seen the ‘boxing Golovkin’, versus those he thinks possess danger and will need time to break down (Lemieux, Stevens and Jacobs).

Now, vs Canelo, we saw ‘tentative pressure fighting Golovkin’.  Gone were the wide snap hooks and body shots that were his calling card, and in came a cautious pressure style which stole ring space and delivered a constant jab in an attempt to not let Canelo set his feet or allow him to be open to Canelo’s faster hands.

Golovkin went back to basics.  Aware of the threat in the opposite corner, he chose to pick away with straight shots rather than engage for too long.  At times he looked his age v the younger pretender and there can be no argument his feet have slowed, but it was a very deliberate gameplan which maybe won’t have thrilled those that fell in love with GGG the rampaging KO artist, but it did demonstrate his high level boxing brain and adaptability.

Whether the Kazakh will employ a similar gameplan this Saturday will be interesting to see.