Thoughts on Alvarez Rhodes

[barlow100]

It’s been a good couple of months for the ginger community – first George Groves squeaks past Degale and now the ongoing development of Saul Alvarez. I watched the HBO broadcast of this fight – probably the most entertaining part of it for me was Roy Jones’ commentary. He might not be able to fight anymore but he still runs rings around most with his sharp, thoughtful analysis and technical breakdowns. Lederman had an easy night on the scorecard – 10-9 Alvarez broken only by a 10-8 Alvarez. He had to find other ways to amuse himself like being pedantic about people sitting on the ring apron and probably scoring the various fights in the crows. Jim.

I saw a quote afterwards where Rhodes said he’d underestimated his power. Well, I aint been following this Canelo all that closely but I know he can bang. I thought it was more like he underestimated the skill and composure of Alvarez. Maybe he thought the kid would come out swinging and punch himself out or be bamboozled by Rhodes switch hitting. Sadly not – it was more like Einstein doing a Heat magazine Sudoku.

I was impressed with Alvarez’ composure though – he didn’t rush and had a nice rhythm to his work – kept a nice distance between him and Rhodes and for someone who’s meant to be just a puncher he showed a fair bit of movement. I liked the way he came forward with combinations and hard punches so Rhodes couldn’t fire back even if he had wanted to. He also seemed happy to back off and let Rhodes throw first before countering him hard.

From what was said in Rhodes corner their gameplan seemed to be going for a knockout. Well Rhodes may look like Skeletor but his power just wasn’t fazing Alvarez. Instead of being confused by Rhodes turning southpaw he just calmly whacked him with a straight right – like everyone else from Lederman to Roy Jones to his corner and probably even the ring card girls, I was wondering why the hell he kept going southpaw to do nothing but get hit.

Rhodes just wasn’t throwing combos like Alvarez – he threw the occasional shot, got countered and then didn’t seem to want any more of it. His defence looked flashy but was pretty porous, when Alvarez came forward with those combos Rhodes backed up in a straight line and took some meaty shots. Rhodes has always had that Naz-lite style but sadly never had the athleticism of Naz – or the most important thing – power.

Power is something that Canelo has and personally I wouldn’t fancy taking any of his shots – I think he knew he could stop Rhodes as soon as he stepped on the gas – but he kept things ticking over and just about on the right side of interesting – that said some of the stats from the later rounds were a bit embarrassing for Rhodes and I could have done with this fight ending after about 8. Fair play to his trainer for impressively giving the rallying speech – although it was a bit like a communist party official giving a lecture he knows is bullshit to people who also know its bullshit but they all have to do their best to look convincing/convinced.
Could Ryan have done any more? Maybe but I don’t think he ever really had what it took to beat an Alvarez this good – there was a difference in class and a vast gulf in power.

[veriton]

no disgrace to rhodes, he was outclassed but still gave it a decent go. easy night for alvarez but this kid is going right to the top.

[subsy]

no disgrace to rhodes, he was outclassed but still gave it a decent go. easy night for alvarez but this kid is going right to the top.

really? I got the impression he really didnt give it a go. Thats what I found most frustrating watching it.
I know its very easy to say and the reality most likely was also due in no small part to canelo stopping rhodes doing what he needed to, but I didnt see any urgency from rhodes throughout the fight. He'd waited over 13 years to get a world title shot again. I just couldn't fathom the way he seemed to fight on Saturday night.

[veriton]

maybe that's cos you didn't have alvarez punching in you in the face. rhodes did all he could do in there and still had the guts to go for it in the last round after taking a beating for 11. can't ask for more than that.

[junior pepa seed]

I thought Rhodes was poor, As good as Alvarez was on the night. When Alvarez throws combos its a beautiful sight looked so effortless and quick, he is a major force and has a hell of a future. Rhodes looked so outclassed it was painful at times, not taking anything away from Rhodes takes guts to get in the ring and its easy to judge from my sofa with a dodgy roll up on the go. Rhodes never really got going and his corner seemed to give the same vibe.

[Crazyboy]

I honestly think Alvarez was different class thats rhodes wasn't poor, he was outclassed thats all by a seriously good operator.

Like a Man Utd/ Barca game.....Man utd are a top side.....but put them up against Barca and they look all over the place...similar sort of concept.

Rhodes only looked poor because of the person he faced. Totally dominated i'm afraid, and i hate saying that about a fellow sheffielder.

On Alvarez, jeez i think he looks some fighter, some of the venom in those punches was blood curdling and he was accurate too, wasted hardly any energy and looked as quick at the end as he did at the start with not a mark on his face.

very very good prospect on that showing....and he's 20 years old too!!!!

[nelsoninfour]

I honestly think Alvarez was different class thats rhodes wasn't poor, he was outclassed thats all by a seriously good operator.

Like a Man Utd/ Barca game.....Man utd are a top side.....but put them up against Barca and they look all over the place...similar sort of concept.

Rhodes only looked poor because of the person he faced. Totally dominated i'm afraid, and i hate saying that about a fellow sheffielder.

On Alvarez, jeez i think he looks some fighter, some of the venom in those punches was blood curdling and he was accurate too, wasted hardly any energy and looked as quick at the end as he did at the start with not a mark on his face.

very very good prospect on that showing....and he's 20 years old too!!!!

I agree with all that. The only thing is liking Ryan to Man Utd as a LUFC fan cant do that. Excellent post

[J]

alvarez just walked through him.

Rhodes was outclassed but there wa a touch of the Clinton woods v tarver in this fight.

Just never seemed to get into it.

[Crazyboy]

I agree with all that. The only thing is liking Ryan to Man Utd as a LUFC fan cant do that. Excellent post

But then that would imply that Leeds are a decent team and.........well.......lets leave it there eh (trust me i'm joking, i can't say owt, i'm a blade lol)

Thanks for your comments mate, brave as fook he was but outgunned from start to finish. I hope he makes some more money out of the game though, he's got a heart has our Ryan.