GGG vs Canelo - the physical matchup

[jezzamundo]

People in the media keep repeating that GGG is the bigger, stronger fighter, but I don't think it's that clear cut. Let's break it down:

Height: GGG is listed as 5'10.5", which seems to be accurate. Canelo is listed as 5'9" which is at least an inch too high, giving GGG a 2.5-3 inch height advantage.
Reach: GGG's reach is listen as 70", Canelo's as 70.5". Canelo is broader in the torso, while GGG has slightly longer arms, so he may appear to have a small reach advantage, despite the numbers.
Weight: Both will have to be 160lb for the weigh in. GGG has fought at this weight for his entire career, while Canelo has moved up from welterweight, then light middleweight, as well as the last few years where he has mostly fought (bizzarely IMO) at 155lb. Canelo did, however, compete at a catchweight of 164.5 for his most recent fight, against a very drained Chavez Jr.
GGG looked to come into training camp carrying more fat around his middle than usual and weighed about 5lb heavier than usual at the 30-day check weight, though he was on-target by the 7-day check. Canelo skipped these check weights and has appeared to have put on a significant amount of muscle in the lead-up to this fight. Reportedly, both will be doing to IBF same day check weight, where they will have to be under 170lb.
Canelo is known to be a big drainer, having weighed as high as 172lb in the ring while competing at light middleweight and more recently refusing to be weighed - many postulate his regular fight night weight to be around 175lb. GGG seems to have always made weight comfortably and could almost certainly have competed at light middleweight into his early 30s. The heaviest he was been weighed on fight night is 173lb, just 1lb more than Canelo despite being a division higher.

Being the younger man and the more experienced drainer, I fully expect Canelo to slightly outweigh GGG on fight night, thought like in the Lemiuex fight, GGG will look much the bigger man in the ring, despite being lighter. I actually don't think Canelo's muscle gain was a smart idea for this fight. Had he remained the same size and drained less, he would have been faster and had better stamina.

[Enlightened-One]

That's a bit of a wall of text, though the info. itself is interesting. What about this?


Also, what about this coincidence?

[jezzamundo]

That's a bit of a wall of text, though the info. itself is interesting. What about this?

I saw that one. No issue with GGG's height being rounded down half an inch and they're still going with Canelo's exaggerated height, so it makes the height difference seem much less than it really is. No matter, though, as height isn't going to be what decides this fight. I have no idea how GGG suddenly gains 4 inches in reach, though - was he re-measured?

EDIT: Just noticed your second image - I want GGG to win, so hopefully it's not an omen!

[boxing_rocks]

I believe than in Olympics, Golovkin reach was listed as 71.5. There is no way Canelo has a longer reach.

[crusader]

Floyd's about 5'10 if Canelo's 5'9"

[Enlightened-One]

Floyd's about 5'10 if Canelo's 5'9"

Showtime claimed Alvarez was only 5’ 7½” when he fought Mayweather (skip to 12m 02s):
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x155x0d

[greg]

..what's important to me is that on a fight night they MUST belong to the same weight category..

[boxing_rocks]

..what's important to me is that on a fight night they MUST belong to the same weight category..

Speaking about that, Canelo will likely have a harder time making weight than GGG. He already looks somewhat exhausted. I think he gained too much muscle for the Chavez fight, and it became a problem now.

[FastestHandsInThewest]

Physically ggg is superior.

[lazboy]

Nice breakdown post Jezzamundo. Not sure the extra muscle will slow Canelo down initially but endurance wise I don't think its the greatest idea like you said, I guess we'll find out.

Anyone ever noticed the size of Canelos gloves in a number of his previous fights? Are they a normal size for Grant and Everlast which are apparently a mixture betweeen a punchers glove and extra cushioning? To me they seem blown out on the sides, to the point where I have noticed them. Thick strong Canelo with these thick big gloves. Can't say I've noticed the disparity on another fighter recently. Of course if they look normal to people.......feel free to say so.

Hoping that doesn't deter Golovkin from aiming at the head because his power should travel through a glove even if its clued there, like Canelo does when blocking, not a clean shot but Canelo will feel it.

[Blodhemn]

The words Canelo and stamina don't really go together, any way you slice it. He's been a MW draining down for a huge chunk of his career.

[man]

Canelo ... 's been a MW draining down for a huge chunk of his career.

that's how i see it. weight difference
is not a prime issue in this fight.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

- Remembering the usual Sanforized boxing experts filling their shorts with all derogatory manner of Canelo, saying he'd never fight Golovkin.

Presumably they shouldn't comment for that reason, but they are utterly shameless whose very actions savor of iniquity and stink in the nostrils of the Almighty. These guys are the same size. Golovkin fighting in the middles because that's where the money was, but Cotto and Martinez ducked him, so here he is in his biggest fight. Remember, he was emphatic he would come down to 154 to fight TUE 49 50-0, but that hoax ducked him too.

All this baloney about Canelo's stamina and muscle uttered by the same sugars who said this bout couldn't happen. Half of you don't deserve this fight, it's way beyond your shared single digit IQs, but slobs are gonna slobber, the way it's always been. I took Canelo because I see the fight going the distance and he's the money fighter in a corrupt jurisdiction, but absent the expected interference of the asinine Byrd, it should otherwise be a pretty decent fight that could've been better in Mexico City bullring. Can't blame them for taking the money, but Vegas has been killing boxing along with the rest of the boxing suits.

[man]

- Remembering the usual Sanforized boxing experts filling their shorts with all derogatory manner of Canelo, saying he'd never fight Golovkin.

well, let's say it took him a while
to find out he likes this fights.

[Evander]

GGG looked the bigger guy at the weigh in, that said Canelo was in good shape.
I'm going to pick GGG to win, just hope it's a good fight.