Who could beat Canelo?

[nbenak]

Regardless of controversial past decisions and meat choices, Canelo is in P4P discussion (I have him #3) and looks to be in his prime. Who could beat him right now? Here are a couple possibilities: GGG already beat him regardless of adolescent Byrd’s scorecard in first fight and was close the second time. He could go for broke and the KO in third fight. Andrade using reach and skill perhaps, but I doubt it. Jarrett Hurd has a chance, if he can stand up to hard counters to body, his style is ideal to get to Canelo. Callum Smith is bigger, but not better than Saul. But, here’s my favorite possibility also with a DAZN fighter and at 168. Dimitry Bivol has talked of moving down especially because all other elite light heavyweights are at ESPN/TR. He has size, athleticism, defense and power, even more so at 168. He’s also only 28, I think Bivol beats Canelo, or comes closer than any other current fighter.

[lazboy]

I think Bivol is a good call but he’s never faced anyone on Canelo level but his size may negate that. I also think Canelo beats Callum Smith, however both need to be aware of a rehydration clause and fighting at a catch weight.

Don’t think Hurd could beat him, there’s only so many clean punches he could take to the head. I think it would be a fun fight though and if Hurd is seriously able to soak it up, maybe he could do some damage however even without Canelos excellent even exceptional headmovement I’d say Hurd would have trouble hurting Canelo.

[Enlightened-One]

Dimitry Bivol is a talented fighter, fundamentally-sound, but he’s not a big puncher, his style is too orthodox for my liking, and he’s been competing at 175lbs for more than twelve years. His performance levels will very likely be adversely affected by dropping down to 168lbs (especially with the inclusion of a rehydration clause). The Russian has never faced anyone anywhere near as skilled or as accomplished as Canelo either, so he’s unproven at the highest-level.

Jarret Hurd seems to engage in too many life and death fights for my liking and has too often gained comeback victories in bouts he was losing. Hurd’s high-work-rate could trouble Canelo, but his size and power wouldn’t. Stylistically speaking, Hurd could be tailor-made for Canelo and Jarret’s height will make him prone to the Mexican’s impressive shots to the body. He's a PBC fighter, which means a bout between the pair would be unlikely... or at least difficult to make.

I felt that Canelo handled Danny Jacobs’ occasional southpaw stance really well, which was when he landed some of his biggest blows and was most effective. And even though Demetrius has an excellent amateur pedigree, he’s unproven in the pro ranks. So there’s a good chance that Andrade isn’t as good as Jacobs – he’s certainly a lot smaller in stature.

GGG is on the decline and Canelo is on the ascendancy. Every time the pair fought, the Mexican has shown significant signs of improvement. And I seriously doubt that Gennadiy is capable of stopping Alvarez. To be honest, assuming the pair competes sometime next year, then I’d expect Canelo to score a legitimate clear-cut decision victory over a 38-year-old past-his-prime version of GGG.

In terms of Callum Smith, the jury is still out. I don’t think he punches hard enough to hurt Canelo and there’s not enough quality in his resume for my liking. And whenever I’ve watched him compete, I’ve never been all that impressed with what I have seen. Perhaps I’m being unfair, but that’s just the way it is.

At the moment, I feel that we’re more likely to see Canelo lose against some of the top dogs at 175lbs, but we’re unlikely to see that happen, since many of them are tied to Top Rank & ESPN, which rarely does business with DAZN-affiliated promoters.

[Cent0089]

I think Canelo will lose on controversial points decision against GGG in 3rd match, it is just my feeling Other than that, skilled boxers from 175 can defeat Canelo.

[Onetimeonly]

Spence can.

[burgerjoe]

Any of the top 5 heavyweights would smash him easily..

[ezhmael]

Regardless of their first 2 fights, I think GGG can't beat Canelo now.

Hurd is big in 154 but will be average against any top 160.

Bivol is at 175 and their fight will not happen anytime soon.

Smith have the size advantage but Canelo got the skills but they will marinate this one.

I just think by a longshot, Eubanks JR can beat Canelo if they will fight at 168. He has the power and output to pull that out by a longshot.

But in reality, Canelo will face Ryder then will have a fight marinated against Smith.

[greg]

..the 3rd fight vs GGG can still be competitive if it happens this year imo..

[boxing_rocks]

It depends on what you call "beat", outscore with fair judging or actually getting a decision.

[Onekrazyrican]

At 160 he seems to be the top guy. I thought he lost a close one on the first GGG fight the second one he did better I had it a draw. Based on the pattern Id pick him to win a close one in a third.

I used to think either of the Charlo twins would have a good chance but the way he dealt with Jacobs shows hes ready for anything the Charlos can bring.

Kinda the same with Andrade, I see him at around the same level of Jacobs.

At 168 is where things change. Zurdo Ramirez and Callum Smith are skilled plus the physical advantages would be even bigger than what he dealt with against Jacobs.

[ValMar]

In the USA (160) - noone.............
At the neutral venue, with the fair judges (160) - GGG would have 50% chance..............

I have no idea for the SMW fights. Everything would be possible............

[Thomastearns]

Billy Joe Saunders could expose Canelo's lack of mobility and make him chase all night getting further and further behind on points.

“I would love the Canelo fight, but does he want to fight me? I don’t think so,”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.expres ... BO-IBF/amp

[Onetimeonly]

In the USA (160) - noone.............
At the neutral venue, with the fair judges (160) - GGG would have 50% chance..............

I have no idea for the SMW fights. Everything would be possible............

Venue? You think it's Americans? That's silly. Eusebio pedroza got great judging here against an American in the state where the American was based in. However, pedroza, the wba champion, was Panamanian.

[ValMar]

Venue? You think it's Americans? That's silly. Eusebio pedroza got great judging here against an American in the state where the American was based in. However, pedroza, the wba champion, was Panamanian.

Are you kidding ?

[Onetimeonly]

Are you kidding ?

Not at all. What makes you think it's primarily an American issue? The most impartial judging is in Japan. The wba is based in Panama. Do you know where the wbc is based?

[ValMar]

Not at all. What makes you think it's primarily an American issue? The most impartial judging is in Japan. The Eva is based in Panama. Do you know where the wbc is based?

I don't think it's primarily an American issue, of course, and I am sure 100 % that Canelo is among the most protected (by the judges and the refs) top level fighters in the USA. BTW, I like Canelo and his style. I enjoy watching his fights.

[Onetimeonly]

I don't think it's primarily an American issue, of course, and I am sure 100 % that Canelo is among the most protected (by the judges and the refs) top level fighters in the USA. BTW, I like Canelo and his style. I enjoy watching his fights.

You don't think it's primarily an American issue but Canelo is protected in the USA? Lol, are you kidding?

[paddy chavez]

Billy Joe Saunders could expose Canelo's lack of mobility and make him chase all night getting further and further behind on points.

“I would love the Canelo fight, but does he want to fight me? I don’t think so,”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.expres ... BO-IBF/amp

[Enlightened-One]

Eddie Hearn said today that it’s almost certain that Canelo’s next bout will be against GGG, with the Mexican scheduled to face Demetrius Andrade and Callum Smith during 2020.

If this is true, then four of Canelo’s five consecutive opponents’ would have been sourced by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable.

So I guess the topic of this thread should really be “who has the best shot at beating Canelo: Golovkin; Andrade; or Smith?”, since it’s utterly pointless to speculate about what could potentially transpire during 2021.

[jamamb]

hell, if canelo beats bivol and kov (said by multiple posters), do we think hed clean out 175 if he tried?

and an elite at 175 would have good chances of being world class at cruiser too

[victor-romeo]

At 160 Saunders.

[Finkel]

Also think Saunders and GGG, but could is the optimal word.

Still, even if Saunders was too box his ears off, the judges would still likely come up with a draw. It's not like they would have to explain themselves. The cards against FMJ and GGG I should really leave no doubt that you could ever hope to get a decision against Canelo.

I almost feel bad for Canelo, but I'm sure he is crying all the way to the bank.

[Lackeos]

Feels like Jarrett Hurd would have a chance. He's already beat Trout and Lara. Trout unofficially beat Alvarez, and Lara also had a close match with him. Hurd is huge compared to Alvarez, Golovkin, or Jacobs.

[Cent0089]

Feels like Jarrett Hurd would have a chance. He's already beat Trout and Lara. Trout unofficially beat Alvarez, and Lara also had a close match with him. Hurd is huge compared to Alvarez, Golovkin, or Jacobs.

Taking clean shots from Alvarez would be different than from Lara and Trout. I like Hurd a lot and dont wanna see him loss badly. Hurd should focus on clearing 154, he can do it

[Lackeos]

Taking clean shots from Alvarez would be different than from Lara and Trout. I like Hurd a lot and dont wanna see him loss badly. Hurd should focus on clearing 154, he can do it

It would be different in the sense that it wouldn't be as bad. Trout busted-up Cotto way worse than Alvarez did. Lara busted-up Trout way worse than Alvarez did. Alvarez really doesn't have much of a track record of badly disfiguring fighters of Hurd's level. Alvarez robbed Trout, barely beat Lara, lost to Mayweather, barely beat Golovkin each time, and comfortably beat Jacobs (but didn't brutally injure or KO him). Alvarez has never KO'ed anyone above Khan / Kirkland / Angulo / Liam Smith. Alvarez has good power, but he is not a killer like Kovalev / Stevenson / Golovkin / Wilder.

Also, I disagree that Hurd would necessarily lose at all.